Victory

​Bob Wieland lost his legs to a mortar round in the Vietnam War.  But that didn't stop the 57-year-old veteran from finishing the Los Angeles Marathon.  Using only his hands and on less than twelve hours of sleep, it took Bob a week to complete the 26.2-mile course.  Surrounded at the finish by well-wishers and admirers, Wieland said, "This was not natural.  This was supernatural.  It was only done by the grace of God."

Meditation
Proverbs 2:7,8--He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers.
 
Had Bob Wieland focused on the loss of his legs he would never have entered the L.A. Marathon; he could have wasted away a bitter man.  If he fixated on the pain of his aching arms or his exhausted body, he would never have completed the course.  The race was over for everyone else.  The cheering crowds were gone.  But each day and night, one meter at a time, Bob plodded towards his destination.  He did not move in his own strength.  He moved with the firm awareness of God's grace. 

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ you don't have to live in defeat.  No matter how bad things may seem to you, you already possess the ultimate triumph—eternal life with a loving Father who will banish all pain and sorrow and fill you with unspeakable ecstasy when He one day ushers you into His glorious presence. It is possible to live a life of joy no matter how terrible things seem if our focus is not on our circumstances but rather on our destination.  

Can you let go of disturbing disappointments and vexing trials that scream like bulging blisters to run with perseverance the race set before you? Have you fixed your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1,2)?  He ran with joy knowing He faced a cross.  He would not dwell on shame because His eyes were on His Father.  The Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthian church, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57).  That's right!  Jesus gives us V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!  Thank You, God!
​
I'm running on a one-way path to heaven.  I'm not going to let the enemy rob me of joy.  I refuse to dwell on disappointments.  Forget excuses that justify quitting!  By grace I will not indulge my selfish nature.  I'm stoked to do God's will.  I'm not ashamed to follow a Winner.  I have victory in Jesus and so do you—so let's live like it! Hallelujah!  
 
Inspiration
To say, “I have got the victory” is a selfish testimony; the testimony of the Spirit of God is that “the Victor has got me.—Oswald Chambers in Not Knowing Where
 
©2003 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)