Scripture: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14
Examination: Paul is writing about his delay incoming to visit in that he doesn’t want to cause anyone sorrow. He desires to be one who is able to bring joy, not sadness. He speaks about restoring a church member to their fellowship… a restoration of joy to one who sincerely repented.
Application: The last week of Jesus’ earthly life began and culminated with celebrations. The days in-between were filled with sorrow, fear, death, and despair.
The triumphal entry into Jerusalem saw Jesus riding upon the back of a young donkey to the praises of those lined up along the road into the holy city. Cries of “Hosanna” and “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9) filled the air as the onlookers waved their palm branches in honor of His approach. Sadly, these accolades rapidly shifted to cries of “Crucify Him!” in less than a week when the people saw that Jesus didn’t fit their mold of what the Messiah should be. They wanted a mighty warrior king to overthrow the Roman government, and thus they rejected the Prince of Peace who promised them a kingdom that would never end.
Many times when God doesn’t fit the mold as the “Almighty Wish-Granter”, our faith struggles. Sometimes we forget who we are and who God is. We expect Him to respond according to what we feel is right. But that theology is vastly incorrect. God does hear and respond to our prayers, but it always aligned with His perfect will and timing.
Being a Christian doesn’t mean that God is at our beck and call whenever we pray. It means we have access to our heavenly Father because of the work that His beloved Son Jesus accomplished on the cross. When that temple veil was torn in two, we gained entry into the throne room of God, bringing our prayers directly to Him, but that doesn’t mean He answers every prayer in the way we want.
God sees the big picture; He knows what is best, and the smartest human being cannot compare to God. It is important to remember that as believers, we belong to God. He has bought us with His precious blood. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Think about what that means. We belong to the Creator of the universe! Because of that, we can live a triumphant life despite struggles, challenges, and disappointments. Here’s why we can have a triumphant faith.
- We have a promise that our sins are not only forgiven but forgotten by our heavenly Father when we accept Christ as our personal Saviour.
- “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” – Isaiah 43:25
- We have the promise of a heavenly home for all eternity.
- “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” – 1 Peter 1:3-4
- We have a promise that wherever we are, God is with us, and He will NEVER leave us from the moment of salvation throughout eternity!
- “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” – Hebrews 13:5
- We have the promise that one day, Jesus is going to come for us, and take us to be with Him forever.
- “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3
- We have a promise that whenever we pray, God does pay attention, and He will respond. Maybe it won’t be the way we had hoped, but He will answer every time we pray.
- “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” – Psalm 116:1-2
These are just a few reasons the Bible explains why we can have a triumphant, faith! And one day soon, that faith will become sight, when we see our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Then triumphantly we will be able to echo those cries of long ago, “Hosannq! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord”
Memory Verse: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57
Stretching your thoughts:
1. Why is it hard for some Christians to trust God’s answer to prayer when it differs from their desired response?
2. What would you say to someone struggling with their faith in these types of situations?
I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory
O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
(from “Victory in Jesus” by E. M. Bartlett)