Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19:11, 16, ESV
Spoiler alert: In the end, Jesus Christ wins.
Scripture tells us repeatedly and pointedly that Jesus Christ, the Mighty Warrior, is always victorious. Make no mistake about it. Jesus is going to win. Someday the clouds will break open, and we will see Him on a white horse (Revelation 19:11). His powerful appearance will be breathtaking and terrifying: “His eyes are like a flame of fire. . . . He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. . . . From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:12–13, 15–16). With simply a word, He will instantly set the world in order. In the end, Jesus Christ wins.
All of history leads to Jesus’ victory, and all of God’s promises culminate in Jesus. We experience God’s promises through Jesus.
For example, do you need peace, that calm assurance that God is in control? Ephesians 2:14 assures us that Jesus “himself is our peace.” Remember, God doesn’t dispense peace like a pharmacist filling a prescription: “Take two, and call me in the morning.” He gives us Himself. God doesn’t have to give us something. He is the something! Jesus Christ fulfills the promise of God’s peace.
It’s Christ’s presence that takes away fear.
It’s Christ’s sovereignty that assures and calms us in the face of doubts.
It’s Christ’s goodness that renews us when we are weighed down by despair.
It’s Christ’s watchfulness and intervention that keep us from faltering.
And it’s Christ’s inevitable victory that assures us we will not fail.
When we think about times of trial in our lives, if we really pinpoint what’s most difficult about the trial, it’s the not knowing. The biggest reason why we fear, doubt, despair, and falter is that we don’t know how it’s all going to end.
Every one of us lives with some level of uncertainty. You’re not alone in this struggle. You have some insecurities in your life right now; I’m living with some question marks too. Yours might take the form of a health crisis, a broken relationship, a financial problem, a wandering child, a self-destructing family member.
Think of the stresses that keep you awake at night, those issues that linger on the edges of your thoughts and never fully go away. If you definitively knew when and how that circumstance would end, you would be okay. If you could foresee that it would end well, then you could bear the waiting. If you could predict with certainty that it would end badly, then you could prepare yourself for what’s to come. It’s the not knowing that pushes you to the limit.
A football team doesn’t give up because they lose a few yards. Their focus is on the final score, not one bad play. We fixate on our momentary trials (2 Corinthians 4:17), wondering, How will this finish? If only we knew.
We do know.
God is always victorious. Ultimately, I will not fail. Sure, I will experience some pains and losses along the way. But in the end, because Jesus wins, so do I.
Journal
Pray
Lord God, by faith I choose to lift my eyes from my momentary trials to the final outcome. Jesus wins. No matter how my life looks or feels today, ultimately Jesus wins. And as an adopted son or daughter of the living God, because Jesus wins, I do too. Teach me an eternal perspective, Father. Though life is painful, it’s short. I set my heart on eternity, and I thank You that I know exactly how this all ends. I pray in the name of Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords, amen.
Rejecting the voice of Rejection
Genesis 37-40
If you’re stuck where best thinking has got you, it’s time to change your thinking.
God won’t force Himself into your heart, but He does want to change you and heal the hurt behind your destructive behaviors.
How does change happen? Often, change begins with a crisis; the journey of changing is a process. The process of change is hard work.
And if you fail in the process? Return to the crisis. Remember why you began this journey and get help that will help you continue.
Let’s Reject the Voice of Rejection. Refuse to accept what our failures say – and lean into how the God who made us sees us.
The Glory of Love | John 13:31-38
Assurance of My Salvation | John 8:30-36
Overcoming the Obstacles To Eternal Life | John 3:1-15
Ever have so many bad days it seems everything’s going wrong? When your life is finally going in the right direction, when you’re focused on following Jesus, struggles and roadblocks still appear.
When you feel hard pressed and trapped, it’s time to stop and turn to the Lord.
Even Jesus had bad days and faced rejection and betrayal.“…Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” 2 Corinthians 4:10 When you’re backed into a corner, He is there. When you don’t understand, He is there. When you’re under attack, He is there. As John Wesley declared in his final breath, “Best of all. God is with us.“
Join us for this powerful new teaching – What I Think When Things Go Bad.
Four Reasons Strongholds Are Hard To Break | 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 | Overcoming Rejection and Betrayal
Strongholds are fortified patterns of thinking that are stubbornly resistant to God’s Word and God’s will.
Wherever you’re stuck, whether a destructive sin or hidden addiction – to find freedom, you must get honest and take care of your heart. And nothing will be different until you think differently.
Defeating a stronghold requires confronting sin and failures with humility. But don’t be discouraged, by God’s grace you CAN destroy those patterns and walls of sin, addiction and shame.
Keep Up: Humility before Exaltation | Hebrews 2:5-18 | Don’t Stop Now: Keep Up
The Easter Principle
My Victory Is Assured | Ephesians 1:1-12