A Victorious Journey

 At times, victory means learning from what God allowed us to go through.

• Job learned that God is faithful during the good times. When he was blessed, he knew it was all because of God. He went through his toughest challenges, yet never waiver his faith in God, because je knew that even in rough times, God is the same - faithful.

• David learned how to lead in the wilderness while hiding for his life from King Saul. When he became king, he was a good one.

• Two very different scenarios that resulted to the same conclusion - God is faithful.

Whatever God allows to come our way, be it pleasant or not, He will give us victory if we learn to trust that no matter what happens, He remains faithful.

¹¹Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; ¹²if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; ¹³if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV

Only Jesus can give us victory.

How do we, as followers of Jesus make sure we are aligned with His will in making our journey end in victory?

Do not just feel the pain. Learn.

¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11-12 NIV

With all that the Apostle Paul went through, he LEARNED something very significant: "be content."

He was dragged, imprisoned, threatened, stoned, left to death, yet he LEARNED. He did so because God is with him and he remained in Him.

Let God teach you lessons in all your circumstances.

Ask: "What do you want me to learn from this experience, Lord?"

Ask that God's will be done.

Look at this. God did not prevent Daniel from being thrown into the lion's den, He protected him while he was among the lions.

Sometimes God's definition of victory and of protection is different from our perspective. Maybe He will let you get hurt, maybe He will not. Whatever his decision will be, remain in Him and stay assured that He knows what He is doing and that He is on your side.

In terms of God's discipline:

• because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:12 NIV

• No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NIV

Let us not resist God's correction and ways to make us learn but submit to His will.

Analogy.

• Am I being free if I use a microphone as a hammer? Yes, I am being free.

• Am I being free if I use a microphone as a sword? Yes, I am being free.

However, those are not the purpose of a microphone. If I use the microphone for its intended use, it will serve its purpose. People will hear me all the way to the back. If I can sing, everyone will hear and appreciate my singing voice. That's if I use my freedom by using the microphone for its intended use.

The same true to our lives. We have a purpose given by our Creator. We are free to run away from it. We are free to say, “No, I do not want it like that.” But if we submit to God our Creator and have our lives used according to His purpose, we will have the best life possible - serving our own purpose, blessing others as we ourselves are blessed, glorifying God!

In the same manner, our pain has a purpose, so let us not just feel it, let us learn from it.

Do not just hear the Word. Listen.

²²Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25 NIV

When the Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart," it means trust Him without reservations.

God’s Word is more than just a good teaching that we can agree upon. They are Living Water and Bread of Life that we need to live the best life glorifying God.

• Ephesians 6:2 - "Honor your father and mother" - listen, don't just hear.

• Ephesians 6:4 - "Do not exasperate your children" - listen, don't just hear.

²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

• Ephesians 2:8 - "We have been saved by grace"

• John 14:6 - "Jesus is the way"

We are not listening to His Word if we are still considering that we are saved by good works, or if we keep on looking for a different way to be saved.

We will be victorious if we listen to His Word.

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 NIV

Do not just verbalize the apology. Repent.

More than ashamed, be bold to come to Jesus. He will listen.

The Prodigal son, when he came to his senses, he felt sorry for himself. He felt sorry for what he has done. Then,

¹⁸"I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants." ²⁰So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’" Luke 15:18-21 NIV

He acted on it. He was not just sorry, he repented. He would never know what it was like being forgiven if he did not act on it, if he did not repent.

When the people listened to the preaching of Peter and the Apostles, and they realized their condition as sinners, so they asked.

³⁷When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-38 NIV

Remember, it is not enough to be just sorrowful. One must repent from sins. Only then will the sinner be forgiven because of God's grace and mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Only then will we truly experience being victorious!

Conclusion

Any experience can be victorious if we choose to remain in God and to learn from Him through it all.