God’s Plan for Victory

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 16:17–19

After many years of faithful and effective ministry, Dr. Curtis Hutson was diagnosed with a serious and advanced form of cancer. Even as he sought treatment, Dr. Hutson continued to travel and preach. When it became apparent that he would be going to Heaven rather than be healed, he preached faithfully anyway. Most of his final messages included what had become one of his very favorite songs, “I’m on the Winning Side.”

I will never have a fear, for my Lord is ever near,
And in Him so often I confide,
He’s the keeper of my soul since I gave Him full control,
And He placed me on the winning side.
Well, I am on the winning side, yes, I am on the winning side,
Out in sin no more will I abide;
I’ve enlisted in the fight for the cause of truth and right,
Praise the Lord, I’m on the winning side!

This world is not friendly to Christians, but this world cannot overcome the power of God. He is not challenged by any circumstances that come into our lives. And though we may endure hardship, suffering, loss, and even death, we cannot lose for He is with us. Not even the gates of hell can withstand God’s children operating in faith in God’s promises. His plan is for our ultimate triumph.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

We are on the winning side, and we need to face the future with confidence and the expectation of victory.

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But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. --Isaiah 40:31 If you are feeling low today, God has a plan to help you defeat your depression! First, God can refresh you. When Elijah was exhausted and emotionally drained, God provided refreshment. “And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again” (1 Kings 19:6). God took care of Elijah’s physical needs—food and rest. Sometimes you need to withdraw physically, emotionally, and spiritually and be encouraged in the Lord. Secondly, God rebuked Elijah. In verse 9, God asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Yes, God sent the earthquake and the fire. But in the end, God spoke to Elijah in “low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). You and I often want God to speak to us with spectacular events and situations. But God most often speaks in the still small voice of His Word. And thirdly, God recommissioned Elijah. “And the LORD said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria” (1 Kings 19:15). God told Elijah that it was time to get back in the game! Allow God to refresh you, and then reach out to someone else!