The Seed of Victory

This week’s devotion is authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34).

“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” Ralph Waldo Emerson 

We have become so accustomed to victories that we see. Super Bowl broadcasts account for two of the top 10 most watched sporting events of all time in the U.S. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was arguably the number one tournament, with an estimated viewership of greater than 5 billion people. Some of us may even remember being one of the 2 billion who watched the 1978 Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks heavyweight championship (rematch), which remarkably was about half of the world's population at that time. And who doesn't enjoy the welcome distraction of nationalism wrapped into the Olympic Games? We love our worldly victories; they are easy to see.

It takes a much higher vision to witness an unseen victory. Which of us drives through a national forest and immediately thinks of a nut containing one seed? Which of us looks over the bright, sunny hillside of a vineyard and pictures the exhausting work of its vinedresser (John 15)? Of course, we all fall short. It's incredibly difficult to have a transformational vision. It's much easier to share the flawed belief of the Jewish people during Jesus' earthly ministry, where their cries of "Hosanna" were expecting a victory that looked more like a worldly king (Matt. 21:9). Doesn't our limited conception of Jesus sometimes focus solely on the peace that He may bring to our lives? But that is a far cry from the instructions He gives to His twelve. We ought to expect persecution and hatred. "But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10).

It is not only vulnerable — but also authentic and encouraging — to share with those first hearing the Gospel that, before we are saved, our lives are often a wreck. The temptations of this world are weapons of a bespoke evil, with a crafty master ever ready to convince us of the myth: we have no reason to crash our ship and turn back to God. We grow old with the weeds of pride, worry, selfishness, and unbelief, needing the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, to prune us with the conviction of sin. The battle began long ago, and the supernatural seed was firmly placed in your soul by a visionary like no other — a King of kings, and Lord of lords (Phil. 1:6). Take heart and be forever thankful that our seed of faith is anchored to an invisible victory, one that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4–5).

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

LSB Hymn 660, Stanzas 3 and 4

Stand up, stand up for Jesus;

Stand in His strength alone.

The arm of flesh will fail you,

Ye dare not trust your own.

Put on the Gospel armor;

Each piece put on with prayer.

Where duty calls or danger,

Be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus;

The strife will not be long;

This day the din of battle,

The next the victor’s song.

The soldiers, overcoming,

Their crown of life shall see

And with the King of Glory

Shall reign eternally.