I’m not one of those people who reads the last page first, and I don’t want you to tell me how the story ends. That approach works fine for fairy tales and fiction, but as a Christian, I am so thankful to know that God has already foretold the ending.

Spoiler alert: He wins.

What do you think of when you hear the word VICTORY?

I immediately think of athletic competition winners and military conquests. Sometimes God ordained victory does look like that – see today’s verses from Joshua 8:18-22 where the Israelites were promised success when they attempted to take the city of Ai and were successful in their conquest.

But, God’s victory in our lives occurs in other ways as well – quieter, less flashy, and potentially overlooked ways.

• In the believer who shows mercy instead of hate.
• In the mother who chooses life for her unborn child.
• In the marriage that fights to uphold their vows.
• In the wayward soul that returns to God’s will.

We have victory in Jesus.

That doesn’t mean that we will win every competition or be successful at every turn. And sometimes, in my flesh, that’s frustrating. We’re promised victory, right? So what about the job that won’t come or the health condition that won’t improve? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does it feel like the secular part of our world is taking over, trying to silence Jesus on the sidelines?

We have to remember that our perspective is small. God is the only one who knows or sees the plan for humanity. Don’t lose faith that He is working in the background and that it’s ultimately for our good.

There’s a popular worship song that encourages me when I feel like victory is slow to come. (It’s perfect to mention while we’re studying Joshua, too, because it alludes to Joshua 6 where God instructed the Israelites to walk around the walls of Jericho before the city walls fell to allow their victory in capturing the city.)

“Walking around these walls
I thought by now they’d fall
But You have never failed me yet
Waiting for change to come
Knowing the battle’s won
For You have never failed me yet
Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I’m still in your hands
This is my confidence, You’ve never failed me yet”
(Elevation Worship, 2017)

1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

God will have the ultimate victory. Over sin. Over death. Over Satan.

And we wait expectantly for that glorious day.

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Sara Stevens

Sara is a West Texas girl. She delights in the daily chaos of raising and discipling her four young children. She is a physician, specializing in MRI imaging. Sara is an encouraging friend, intentional at developing authentic relationships. She has a heart for supporting women and families, and she is passionate about Bible translation.