“Conquering by the blood”

2020 “By His Blood” Lent devotion #42

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:11) 

Who has been conquered? The dragon. AKA the serpent. AKA the devil. AKA Satan, the accuser and adversary himself! Praise God! He’s been wreaking havoc ever since he got the chance to speak in the garden, play with Job’s faith, tempt Christ and prowl around like a lion. It’s about time!

The secret to victory has always been and will always be the same: “the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” Our Lord’s death and resurrection has taken away the sting of death, which is sin (1 Cor. 15:16). Our sin has been paid for, we are forgiven, and we are free from the schemes of the devil. The testimony of that truth, from the law to the prophets to the wisdom literature gives us the victory. The testimony of the eyewitnesses, the gospel writers, the men who spoke from God moved by his Spirit provide the power to save us!

This is such a powerful yet basic Christian truth. Why, then, is it so easy to forget? Why is it so easy to drift into thinking that we’ve lost, that the powers of evil have overcome, that we don’t stand a chance?
Maybe, just maybe, you’ve haven’t been consuming enough of God’s Word. Maybe you have stuffed yourself with news feeds, social media, fake news and rumor. Maybe you just aren’t getting your minimum daily requirement of the scriptures. 

Here’s my prescription. First, read your bible. Every day. Yes, every day. First thing. Before you check your email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or newspaper. Hear from God first, and let him set the tone for every other bit of information you take in. 

Second, read your bible. Read the fun parts (like Ehud stabbing the fat king in Judges). Read the boring parts (like the sacrifices in Leviticus). Read the racy parts (like the Song of Solomon). Read the challenging parts (like sell everything you have and give to the poor). Read the scary parts (like the beasts of Revelation). Read the sad parts (like the passion of our Lord in the gospel). Read the challenging parts (like the admonition to tithe in Malachi). Read the really challenging parts (like don’t get divorced). Read the crazy parts (like talking donkeys). 

Third, read your bible. Every inch of it will point you to the perfect, blameless Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. By his blood, shed on the cross, you will conquer. You’ll come out on top. You’ll be victorious. 

And you know what? You will have a testimony, a story to tell!

Thank you, Lord, for the win! Amen.