I have been thinking about a scripture for several weeks now. It is found in the Book of John.
The version I love is the Amplified Bible.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have
tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled
with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (Jn
16:33)
My conquest was accomplished. My victory abiding. I love this!
As I have meditated on this scripture for weeks, two things come to mind. One…is this the other
side of Proverbs 13:12? Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick. In other words, is
abiding victory the other side of unrelenting disappointment?
God’s plan for us is not a continual disappointment. The Bible lets us know God’s plan for us.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil,
to give you a future and a hope. (Jer 29:11)
Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for our good. Therefore, even if we are
walking through a time of unrelenting disappointment, we must realize that if we allow it, it will
work for our good. God has a good plan for us; we must keep moving forward toward His plan.
We must do as Philippians 1:6 says: be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a
good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. God is going to finish what He
started for you – trust Him. Know that the Word of God works daily on your behalf as you
continue to seek His face and declare His promises.
So, back to our scripture in John 16, is abiding victory the other side of unrelenting
disappointment? Jesus said in Mark 4:35… “Let us cross over to the other side.” There is another
side to unrelenting disappointment. There is another side to challenges and trials.
Psalm 66:12 says, “We went through fire and through water, But You brought us out to rich
fulfillment.”
As we see from the Bible, we go THROUGH things – but Jesus promised us that He had already
overcome for us – His conquest is fully accomplished. Therefore, whatever we are going through – we can rest in the truth that there is another side. The other side is His victory abiding.
The word abiding in this verse means a continual victory lasting a long time. Don’t you love
that. We can have an abiding victory in Christ that is continual and lasts for a long time.
My friend, I do not know what you are going through right now. Perhaps you are in a time of
disappointment or discouragement. If so, don’t lose heart. You have many promises.
All things are working for your good.
God has a good plan for you.
Though you may fall – you shall arise.
Jesus will complete what He has begun in your life.
There is a place of rich fulfillment that belongs to you and I.
This isn’t the end. There is another side.
Jesus is saying to us, “Let’s go to the other side.” Let’s leave the side of disappointment and
discouragement and cross over to His abiding victory. That sounds really good to me. How about
you?
