God Wins - December 10, Readings: Amos 8-9, 1 John 5, Psalm 139:13–19, Proverbs 30:10

Link to Today's Readings

I think I'm losing my mind. Last night I did this morning's devotional, and my wife let me know that there was nothing posted. So, I looked into it and realized that today was December 10, not December 11. So, had written and posted TOMORROW's devotional (I'll bet you can't wait). But there's something that both of these have in common. They tie passages together from different sections of the readings.

The prophets are pretty ominous, depressing things. They focus on Israel's sin and the judgment God is bringing on them because of it. They can get harsh and heavy. But every one of the prophets ends on the same note, the note played in Amos 9:11-15, Look at verses 14-15.

I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel,

    and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them;

they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine,

    and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit.

I will plant them on their land,

    and they shall never again be uprooted

    out of the land that I have given them,”

says the Lord your God.

God may bring judgment on his sinful people, but in the end he will restore them. I believe these promises speak not only to the restoration of Israel to the land that occurred after the Babylonian captivity but also to the millennial glory of Christ as he rules the world from Jerusalem. Oh that will be glory! No matter what is happening in this world, the future of God's people is glory! God is bigger even than our failures.

Now, drop down to the New Testament reading, to 1 John 5:4-5. The Early Church flourished in a hostile and evil world, a world that more and more resembles the one that we are living in. We who were raised in safe, secure American towns have trouble processing the world that we see around us now. We often forget the great truth that these verses teach.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 

We have the ability in Christ to overcome the world. There is both a present and a future aspect to that verse as well. In the present, those who walk in obedience and dependence can endure whatever the world throws at them and overcome in Christ. Eventually, we will reign with Christ. It is important to remember as we walk in this world that our God reigns and our side wins.

Do not live in this world as if we are destined to lose. Yes, evil abounds and grows all around us and at times it will gain the upper hand. But evil's edge is always temporary. The God who created us, redeemed us, loves us, and guides us will one day establish his ultimate and absolute rule over this world.

Father, thank you for your power and glory that overcomes both my sin and the sinful world around me. Help me to live in confidence daily