COMFORT IN TRIALS
Triumph in Christ
Psa. 30:11-12 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; / You have loosened my sackcloth / And girded me with rejoicing, that my glory might sing psalms to You and not be silent. / O Jehovah my God, I will praise You forever.
Thanksgiving and Praise Being the Tone of Victory
and Also the Way to Victory
Brothers and sisters, a Christian life is not one that overcomes sometimes and is defeated at other times. It is not one that overcomes in the morning and is defeated in the afternoon. A Christian life is one that overcomes all the time. (CWWN, vol. 24, “The Overcoming Life,” msg. 3)
Brothers and sisters, I know that we are faced with many temptations, and I know that we have many trials. There may be physical weaknesses, adverse circumstances, or various difficulties at work. We may say, “What should I do? How can I overcome?” (CWWN, vol. 24, “The Overcoming Life,” msg. 11)
Thanksgiving and praise are the tone of victory. They are also the way to victory. Second Chronicles 20:21-22 tells of the Israelites overcoming their enemies in battle through praises. Jehoshaphat the king of Judah appointed the Levites to give praise in holy array (v. 21, ASV) and to go before the army, giving thanks to Jehovah. They were in holy array; they were not in armor or carrying any weapons. Such a battle of victory overcomes the enemy through thanksgiving and praises. Once we give thanks and praises, the enemy flees away. We should not bury our thanksgiving and praises. If we thank and praise Him unceasingly, we will continuously live an overcoming life. (CWWN, vol. 41, “Conferences, Messages, and Fellowship (1),” msg. 25)
Leading Us in the Triumph of Christ
In 2 Cor. 2:14 Paul also tells us that we are the defeated captives of Jesus. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in the Christ and manifests the savor of the knowledge of Him through us in every place.” God today leads us in triumph in Christ. This phrase is difficult to translate. It pictures a general who fought the battle and gained the victory, capturing many captives. Then He returns triumphantly to celebrate His victory, with a parade of all the captives behind Him. Today, Christ has gained the victory, and He has captured so many captives, including you and me. The procession is still going on in the universe. Hallelujah! We all have been put into this procession. God will lead us in the triumph of Christ. (CWWL, 1973-1974, vol. 1, “The Indwelling Christ in the Canon of the New Testament,” ch. 10)
Rejoicing Every Day and Singing “Hallelujah” Every Day
Brothers and sisters, the overcoming life that God has given sings “hallelujah” every day; it rejoices every day. The mark of victory is the shout of “Hallelujah!” and “Praise the Lord!” No one who looks at himself can praise the Lord. Only those who look to the Lord can praise Him. Once we look at ourselves, we will find that we are unable, and we will not be able to say, “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” Once we behold the Lord, we can say, “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” It does not matter whether temptations have increased. The battle is the Lord’s, not ours. The Lord is responsible for everything. Therefore, the tone of victory is in our rejoicing, praising, and thanksgiving to the Lord. In everything we give thanks, and in everything we offer praise. This is a life in the third heavens. (CWWN, vol. 24, “The Overcoming Life,” ch. 10)
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, praise You that You are the victorious King and the Lion of the tribe of Judah. You have ascended on high, leading us in your triumph. Lord Jesus, we exalt Your victory, and in Your victory we triumph over the enemy. In all circumstances, You fight for us and bear all our responsibilities. Lord Jesus, we glorify Your Holy Name. Hallelujah!