"You are ever interceding as the lost become the found. You can never be defeated, for You wear the Victor's crown. You are Jesus the Messiah. You're the Hope of all the world! By Your grace I live and breathe to worship You!"
"Hallelujah! You have overcome! You have overcome! Hallelujah! Jesus, You have overcome the world!"
"Every high thing must come down! Every stronghold shall be broken! You wear the Victor's crown! You overcome! You overcome!"
"At the cross the work was finished. You were buried in the ground. But the grave could not contain You, for You wear the Victor's crown!"
In John 16:33, Jesus tells us: "'I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.'" We serve the risen Lord! He is in control. No matter what goes on, He knows what He is doing and is always in control!
The central verse that Maxwell presents is Isaiah 16:9, which says, "So I weep, as Jazer weeps, for the vines of Sibmah. O Heshbon, O Elealeh, I drench you with tears! The shouts of joy over your ripened fruit and over your harvests have been stilled." (NIV)
Isaiah grieves over those who act in ungodly manners. There is evil, trouble, and trials in the world. That will always be the case, until Christ destroys it once and for all. However, He guides us and comforts us, providing us with His peace! Even further, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)
While we see the bad in the world, we should pray for those involved. However, we must be careful not to judge those outside the church. In 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Paul says, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked man from among you.'" (NIV) Furthermore, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21, NIV)
The reflection question for tonight asks, "For whom in particular do you grieve?" It is okay to grieve. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, NIV) When you do grieve, make sure it is for a good cause. But you must not let grievous thoughts overcome you and drag you down for long periods of time. You must give it up to God and let Him heal you! "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand...For I am the Lord, your God, Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." (Isaiah 41:10, 13, NIV)
As leaders, we have followers who look up to us. It is not good for them to see us down and depressed over matters outside of our control. We need to make sure that we handle grievous situations properly. We need to do our part (pray for those in bad situations), and leave the rest to God. He is a big God; He knows how to handle any and every situation. Let Him be God. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)
God bless you!
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