Victory!

The Lord has many ways to motivate our lives with memories that bring strength and encouragement. Recently, I had one of those days where words of hymns began to surge in my spirit which brought renewed joy in my walk with Christ. Of course, many worship songs can do that for us, but on this day there was a theme the Lord began to piece together in my memory. The theme seem to be so clear. Over and over the words of hymns began to weave a picture for me. That picture was, “STRENGTH”. Spiritual strength for what lies ahead. 

Daily, we need this strength, but we all know there are certain times that demand it! Many years ago in a Christian school, I learned a powerful song titled, “Soldiers of Christ Arise”. I began to sing through the words of that powerful song and realized how much of that song came from Ephesians 6:10-18. The first verse gives you the message of the song right off. “Soldiers of Christ arise and put your armor on, strong in the strength which God supplies, through His beloved Son.” It would then build on the supreme importance of , “standing in His great might with all His strength endued…who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror.”  We all know the way the Word of God brings renewed power into our thinking, as do those songs that were born of His Word.

Again, the theme this day was to bring renewed strength to my heart.  After a while another song with a familiar theme came to memory, ” Onward Christian Soldiers.” Again, over and over the charge to take to myself all that Christ has provided for daily battles and move forward in His powerful victory over the forces of evil. The Church, The Body of Christ, is led by a victorious Captain who has indeed equipped us for the battle which we face daily. In this song I was reminded that, “Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the Church of Jesus constant will remain, gates of hell can never against that Church prevail, we have Christ’s own promise, that cannot fail.” Straight up, Holy Spirit inspired words of encouragement and power for us! 

His Word has taught us that we are in a spiritual war which will require us to be fully prepared. No matter what way we may slice and dice the message of the cross, we must realize it was a war for our souls at the supreme cost of our Savior, who, in those agonizing hours of a slow death battled against all the “hosts of darkness” to bring a lasting victory for our souls!  There is no wonder that Christian song writers had this theme to bring us, not only the reminder of this battle, but also to encourage us with His victory! 

My day ended with the words of, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.”  Again, we are referred to as “soldiers.” My guess is because… WE ARE. In this song, we are reminded to, “stand in His strength alone….the arm of flesh will fail you, you dare not trust your own, put on the Gospel armor and watching unto prayer, where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.”  And again, the powerful reality of our victorious Captain who leads us in triumph, “the day the noise of battle, the next the victors song [that’s us] to him who overcometh a crown of life shall be, he with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.”  Uplifting, powerful, strong words that give us the renewed ability to face each day, with assurance of His presence going before us as the victorious Lord of all!

We have much to remind and bless us of great spiritual truths: modern day worship songs, books written by those moved by the Holy Spirit, messages by devoted and God called pastors, Sunday School teachers, etc…  May we avail ourselves to what we have been given and move forward in victory each and every day. For me, this remembrance came as I have written.  It was a day that I am very grateful for.  I don’t want to let “slip” anything that I have been taught, if it be current lessons or those from the past.  It is all profitable!

May His blessings fall on you today as you serve your Captain!