VICTORY BELONGS TO JESUS

One of my favorite sports is Tennis. There are four major grand slams each year (Australian, French, Wimbledon and the US Open) and several WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) and ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tournaments leading up to each grand slams. In January, was the Australian Open and for the past two weeks was the French Open. The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, is a tennis tournament organized by the French Tennis Federation annually. The athletes train for months just to compete in this tournament. For the past two weeks, I watched as the men and women competed against each other, sliding across the clay, some players got injured and had to retire before completing the match. Others cried as their opponent knocked them out of the competition. However, as the players compete for the trophy; there is a ticker tape that constantly displays the following “Victory belongs to the most Tenacious” [La victoire appartient au plus opiniâtre]. This phrase echoes across the clay courts of Paris every time the players step onto the tennis courts to compete. At the end of the tournament, only one player gets to lift up the trophy in celebration.
 
In the life of the sporting industry there can only be one winner. However, what a joy to know that we do not have to compete with others to win our Savior’s love. The Bible is filled with stories of God giving His people victory in battle. As humans, we will face temptation and battles, but God has overcome the world and we are promised victory through faith! We can live a victorious life through Jesus Christ!

I Corinthians 15:57, where the apostle Paul declares, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Jesus was victorious over sickness, nature, demons, and death itself. Through His resurrection, Jesus had the ultimate victory. He defeated sin and death once and for all so that we might be reconciled to God our Father and experience everlasting life with Him. As believers, we share that victory with Jesus. It does not mean that life will be perfect; however, because of His victory we too can live in victory.

Todd Delany sings this song “Victory belongs to Jesus, Victory belongs to Him. Verse two says: You will deliver, you’re a provider, and I find my victory in you. Forever victorious, forever we win; I find my victory in you.”

As Children of God, when we say victory belongs to Jesus, this phrase is signifying that ultimate victory over sin, death, and evil that has been achieved through Jesus Christ. It highlights the spiritual triumph believers share with Jesus, relying on His strength and guidance rather than human efforts alone.

The book of Revelation paints a vivid picture of the final victory of God over Satan, sin, and death, ushering in a new heaven and a new earth where God reigns forever.
 
Faith Step:
How do we live a victorious life in Christ? By obeying God; filling our hearts with God’s Word; attend worship regularly and pray daily. Having faith in Jesus leads to victory and the only way to achieve victory is to study the Word of God! We need to challenge ourselves to take small steps of faith daily.

Let us Pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have promised victory over our enemies. O God, we come before You with a heart full of faith and trust. Thank You for Your unending love and protection. We place our trust in Your mighty power. Lord, help us to take our stand, clothed in Your armor, holding fast to Your Word. Fill our hearts with Your peace amidst life’s storms. Strengthen us with Your Spirit as we push back against the darkness in this world. Teach us to pray with power and persistence, and remind us that we are more than a conqueror through You. In Jesus' mighty name, we declare victory! Amen!

Written by Donnis Prass