Faith is the Victory

by Tiffany S.
from Virtuous Daughters, December 2008~Volume 8, Number 9

Dear Sisters,
Even though it is easy right now to feel discouraged with the current events in our country, I want to remember that Christ is Victor! His will must prevail! I love the wonderful hymn, “Faith is the Victory.” Even when negative things are happening in our nation, we can rejoice in the unspeakable gift of salvation and live victoriously in Christ. We must trust Him; He will never leave or forsake His own.

​Below are some Scriptures that the Lord encouraged me through. I can’t type all of them, but perhaps you could look them up yourself.
    
Psalm 27—The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. . . . I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
    
Psalm 11—In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth. Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.
    
Psalm 75:6–7—“For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one and setteth up another.” 
    
Psalm 9:10, 1 Thessalonians 4 &5, Psalm 37, Psalm 91, Psalm 23, Psalm 84, Genesis 18:25, Proverbs 24:21
    
I would challenge you to pray for our nation’s next President, that he would come to sincere faith in Jesus Christ. This may sound like a big request, but is anything too hard for the Lord? Jesus died for “all” just as much as He died for you and me. The praise, honor, and glory that God could receive through our leader’s conversion would be amazing. But we must ask in faith, believing that indeed whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10). 


Another thing I have been thinking about lately is Noah’s Ark. The ark is a “type” or “picture” of our Savior. God gave Noah explicit instructions because His wrath was going to be poured out on the earth. Noah trusted in God. He believed Him. He knew that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Other people on the earth probably mocked Noah, arguing that no such thing would happen (they had never seen rain before). But then, when God shut the door to the ark, their opportunity for repentance was gone and they began to see the rain fall. I would imagine they felt regret as they suffered the consequences of poor choices.


Christ is our “ark”—our shelter in the time of storm! Psalm 91:1 says “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord and my fortress, my God, in Him will I trust.” Just as God made provision for the righteous before sending a world-wide flood, He also saves us from our sins and protects us physically. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”—Hebrews 11:7 Noah was exercising great faith; we also must place our faith in Christ to be our eternal Savior.


If you ever feel afraid, just remember that if you belong to Christ, He is your shield. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, there is no reason to fear. Our God is with us; He is mighty and omnipotent.


Another aspect is that the flood is a picture of the end times. Just as we are preparing for Christ’s coming (by placing our faith in Christ and redeeming the time), Noah had to prepare for the time when God would save his family (the only righteous ones) from destruction.


People ridicule and persecute Christians today, just as Noah was probably scorned. But we must remember that He is faithful that has promised! We should also be praying that God would help us see things in the right perspective. I tend to look at today, but I want to view situations in light of eternity. What really matters anyway?


I would encourage you to read the story of Noah and see what things you can learn from it. The Old Testament contains many “pictures” of Christ.


Do not be afraid; only believe. With God all things are possible. Is anything too hard for the Lord? Obedience to Him is paramount.


Keep seeking Him as we learn and grow together!


Because He Lives,   
Tiffany