A SLICE OF APOSTOLIC LIFE -- Tomorrow:
"Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. 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 Cor 2:12-14)
Devotion 17 of 24
" , , , which always causeth us to triumph in Christ . . ."
" . . . us to triumph in Christ . . . " Other versions read, "triumphal procession" (NIV/NRSV), and "overcome" (BBE).
The versions that render the text "triumphal procession" depict a victory celebration – as though marching through the city following a great victory. However, this is not at all the point of the text. The emphasis here is WHO wrought the triumph, and the MEANS through which the victory was accomplished. The WHO is "God who causeth." The MEANS is Christ – "in Christ."
This expression is NOT a reference to the Roman armies marching through the city in triumphal procession after some great victory. Rather, this is anchored in the writings of Moses and the Prophets, who provide a Divine index to the real nature of "triumph." We must rid ourselves of the erroneous notion that Scriptural concepts are tied to the regional customs and manners of heathen nations.
David pled with the Lord, "O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me." (Psa 25:2). Again he thanked God that his enemies did not triumph over him. "By this I know that Thou favorest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me" (Psa 41:11). The patriarch knew who really did the work!
In a very specific articulation of praise, David traced triumph back to God Almighty. "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet" (Psa 47:13). Again he wrote, "For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands" (Psa 92:4).
EXAMPLES OF TRIUMPH
Through Israel, His chosen people, the Lord provided a vivid picture of the triumph He CAUSES. It is a triumph that cannot be accounted for apart from God Himself. Some of the more notable examples will confirm the marvelous scope of Divinely caused triumph
1. Noah triumphed over a global flood, brought by God upon the world (Gen 8:13).
2. Abraham and Sarah triumphed over the impotency of age and the futility of the barren womb (Rom 4:19).
3. Jacob triumphed in a wrestling match with an angel from heaven (Gen 32:28).
4. Joseph triumphed over the malice of his brothers, the contrivances of Potiphar's wife, and the chains of an Egyptian prison (Psa 105:16-21).
5. Israel triumphed over Egypt, who had held them captive for 430 years (Ex 12:40-41).
6. The believing Israelites triumphed over a great and terrible wilderness wherein was no water, wandering through it for forty years (Deut 8:15).
7. Israel triumphed over Jericho's restraining halls with a shout (Josh 6:5,20).
8. Gideon and an army of three hundred men triumphed over the militarily superior army of the Midianites (Judges 7:16-23).
9. Samson triumphed over one thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:15-16).
10. Young David triumphed over Goliath, giant from Gath (1 Sam 17:23-50).
11. Eleazar fought, and triumphed over the Philistines singlehandedly, smiting them until his hand froze to his sword (2 Sam 23:9-10).
12. A widow and her son triumphed over a severe famine, feeding herself, her son, and the prophet Elijah with a small supply of meal and oil that never diminished (1 Kgs 17:12-16).
Not a single one of these triumph's can be accounted for on a purely human level. It is apparent that the strategies and natural abilities of men could not have wrought these victories. No amount of human wisdom could have plotted these triumphs. They were "caused" by God He made them happen.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank and praise You for Your great power – particularly that it is toward those whom You have delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the Kingdom of Your dear Son.