Victory Over Raging Storms

We know that Jesus won the victory for us at Calvary when he defeated death, Satan and the power of sin. The question remaining for believers is, “Now what? I know Jesus won my victory on the cross, but where is his victory for the conflict raging in my life right now?”

When Jesus became your Savior, he made you a new creation but although you were changed, the world remained the same. And because of this, there are powers that align themselves against you — the world, the devil and even your own flesh — warring against your spirit.

Some battles are external, such as attacks on our marriage, our finances, our children. Other battles are internal, such as worry, depression, anxiety.  “Can my marriage survive?” “Will my child ever come to the Lord?” “Am I even worthy to call myself a Christian?” All these pressures push us toward doubt and despair, causing us to wonder if God is in all that is going on in our daily lives.

We may take a stand against Satan and draw a line in the sand, as it were, but not see any progress. That’s what happened to Israel as they faced the Philistines. “The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them” (17:3). Saul lined up all his men to stop the Philistines’ advance, achieving a kind of standoff. But did that stop the enemy? Not at all. In fact, the Philistines brought out an even greater weapon in the person of Goliath.

We all know the story of Goliath, the giant who taunted Israel’s mighty warriors until they were dismayed and filled with shame. Satan uses the same tactics against us, trying to intimidate and shame us until we say with the young conqueror, David: “The Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s” (17:46-47). There was no sword in David’s hand but his gigantic enemy didn’t have a chance because the battle was the Lord’s!

Jesus triumphed on the cross and your victory is secured! God will do battle for you as you trust him.