May 9th | The Victory is Yours Through Jesus

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

THE VICTORY IS YOURS THROUGH JESUS

Ephesians 3:10-11 “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  

The unfathomable cruelty of humanity upon fellow human beings is broadcast by the media daily. Lawlessness is rampant. For the mighty buck untold harm is done such as the making and selling of illegal drugs such as fentanyl that killed almost 75,000 Americans in 2023. Almost 1% of the American population is incarcerated in federal, state, and local prisons and jails.   

Satan wants you to believe he is winning as churches are emptying. This is not the case at all. Jesus won the victory over him through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. He is now seated at the right hand of God in heavenly places where all in heaven and earth are under His rule. His victory is now being made known through the preaching and teaching of the gospel. In this way it is made known to you. This victory is yours through your Baptism through which daily all the forces of evil are drowned and die.   

It is true these evil forces still go throughout the world inflicting their evil. While they carry out their evil deeds God, by the power of His Holy Spirit through the Means of Grace (His Word and the Sacraments) overcomes them. Through the administration of God’s Word and the Sacraments Jews and Gentiles alike are brought into God’s family. Jesus is reclaiming His territory. 3.8 billion inhabitants of this earth confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts that Jesus is Lord. 

All of this is testimony to you that you are not alone. When Satan attacks you, all of this is God’s testimony that through Jesus, you overcome him and all his wicked allies. You live, by God’s grace through faith in Jesus under the guiding hand of God who has worked out your salvation through the sending of His Son as your Savior. 

Prayer: Allelulia, Jesus! Your victory is my victory. Renew in me daily through Your Spirit this good news. In Your holy name. Amen. 

Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts to heav’n and voices raise; 
 Sing to God a hymn of gladness, Sing to God a hymn of praise;  
He who on the cross a victim For the world’s salvation bled—  
Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, Now is risen from the dead. 

Alleluia, Christ is risen! Death at last has met defeat:  
See the ancient pow’rs of evil In confusion and retreat;  
Once He died, and once was buried: Now He lives forevermore, 
 Jesus Christ, the world’s Redeemer, Whom we worship and adore. 

Alleluia, alleluia! Glory be to god on high;   
Alleluia to the Savior Who has gained the victory;  
Alleluia to the Spirit, Fount of love and sanctity!  
Alleluia, alleluia To the triune Majesty!  (LSB 477)