Overcomers!

Fitbit likes to encourage me when I surpass my daily goal of 12,000 steps. I receive a message on my phone that congratulates me for being an overachiever.  The dictionary defines an overachiever as someone who performed better or accomplished more than was expected, especially by others. But to be an overachiever is really not all that great because I’m only surpassing the expectations of someone else. Left to our own effort, we may overachieve all of our lives but end up empty in the end.  Death conquers life.  Youth succumbs to aging.  Health is battered by disease.  Human achievement in the end is hollow.  Perhaps this is why so many overachievers feel empty and despondent.  ​

To be an overcomer however is a whole different story.  This means to conquer, to get the better of a struggle or conflict and gain the victory—win!  Paul references this in his letter to the Corinthians.  “Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away” (1 Corinthians 9:25).
 
Meditation
James 1:12--A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
1 John 4:4--You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
 
Do we realize that when our priority is to serve God, when He has our heart and aspiration, that our endurance in life is blessed?  We receive an eternalcrown—life!  Overcomers triumph over: the world, death, disease, conflict, Satan, sin and every adversary known to humans.  Our goal should not rest on overachieving but rather on overcoming.  Victory is not attained by self-reliance but rather Christ-reliance.  “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

So, follower of Jesus.  Hold your head up high.  Thank the Lord for the life He has given you.  Praise Him that you are an overcomer.  Yes, no matter what you are going through now, you will win.  Keep your eyes on the Savior and commit to following after Him.  That crown awaits you and what a joy it will be to kneel before the Lord and receive His blessing.  Something to think about . . . in reveration!
            
Inspiration
May God strengthen us to a belief that there is certain victory prepared for us, and that the blessing will be what the heart of man has not conceived! God will do this for those who love Him.—Andrew Murray in The Prayer Life
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©2019 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)