Overcoming
Coming Over To Jesus
From Genesis to Revelation, the thread of victory runs through each trial of Joseph, Joshua, Job, Jeremiah, and Jesus. It was not easy for them to overcome, but they did. Each problem shines through a personality with whom we can identify in some degree. From the cradle to the cross, the crown of victory finds Jesus reinforcing that these Old Testament worthies did not die in vain (Hebrews 11). From the manger to the mount, Jesus personifies sorrow and suffering as he validates for us "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
God through Joseph teaches all of us a lesson in providence that is unsurpassed. This lesson has warmed the hearts of billions of people (Genesis 37-50). How many times have we identified with this providential principle?
Joshua possessed courage and loyalty, and his examples keep us moving forward (Joshua 1:6). Every time we study the book of Joshua we arise with a renewed vigor to serve Almighty God (Joshua 24:15). When we need a lesson in patience, Job furnishes us that exemplary life in every detail and shouts victory to us at the end (Job 42:12-17). When discouragement, depression and despair face us, Jeremiah teaches us that it is not in man to direct himself (Jeremiah 10:23). We must listen to God, study the Book, obey his commandments, and He will provide deliverance (Jeremiah 1:19).
The climax of man is epitomized in Jesus. In every aspect of life, Jesus gives us the answers in the New Testament. We will not encounter a situation or a circumstance in our lives that Jesus did not live out before us personally or in principle. For added reinforcement, the characters of the Old Testament give us the foundational stamina through which we learn from their obedience (Romans 15:4).
Lest we be thought prejudice, Esther, Elizabeth, and Eunice put the icing on the cake as these women are known for their strength of inner character as they were righteous before God (Esther 2:20; Luke 1:6; 2 Timothy 1:5). From these women of old, we learn that by obedience they overcame life's difficulties and have a reserved seat in that city that lieth foursquare - heaven itself (Revelation 21:16). These believed in God. They looked and longed for the dwelling place of God by faith (Hebrews 11:10). Nothing thrills our souls more than their steadfastness and dedication to the truth!
By contrast, study the lives of Jereboam, Jehoiakin, Judas, and Jezebel.
The crescendo and climax of holistic life reaches its apex and zenith, as Jesus descends to the earth as a man tempted in all points as we, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). From his birth to his death on the cross, He says to us at every junction of life, "To him that overcometh will I grant to set with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Revelation 3:21). We are without excuse (Romans 1:20). His promise to us, overcoming as he did, is motivation to the highest degree! "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name" (Revelation 3:12). All these men and women mentioned encountered the problems of life, and succumbed to some of the them, except JESUS! Yet, God because of what Jesus did, provided forgiveness because they obeyed Him (Hebrews 5:8-9). The life of Jesus is different than all the rest. He made atonement for our sins and taught us that we can overcome Satan (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:13). He provides the gospel as our means of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Finally, because of His resurrection from the grave, Romans 1:4, He will resurrect all of us at the judgment day (John 5:28-29; 6:40). Thus; Jesus is the BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR (Revelation 22:16). Let us follow this STAR as the pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Heaven, the sweet home of the soul, awaits the faithful who have fallen asleep in Christ (Revelation 14:13). When we see Jesus coming on the cloud at the end of this age, Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7, we having overcome by obedience to the faith, will meet him in the air and hear, "well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:21).
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). By overcoming, we come over to Jesus.
From Our Archives, 1994
By: Bill Graddy