“No, despite all these things we are more than conquerors through Him, who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NIV
Here is an interesting fact I learned from Mark Batterson in his book “If”. The phrase “more than conquerors” in this verse comes from the Greek word “huperniko” which means “hyper-conquer.” Not just a conqueror, through Jesus, we can conquer with success to spare. It is also where the word Nike comes from in Greek mythology. She was the goddess of victory. As Mark puts it, Paul redeems it and uses it to describe us.
We are conquerors with room to spare! Why do we act like we are anything less? Why do we act like we are victims instead of victors? There is nothing we can’t do when Jesus has our back. Philippians 4:13 tells us we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. So why aren’t we?
Because we don’t believe we actually are. Because victory doesn’t happen immediately. Because in order for there to be victory, there has to be a battle. God will give you victory, but not before you enter into the battle. The Bible is full of battle scenes that end in victory. But there is always a battle.
David didn’t win the victory over Goliath until he faced him down (1 Samuel 17: 41-47 NIV). Esther saved the nation but not until she had fasted and prayed, then put her life on the line going before the King (Esther 4:16-5:7). Joshua had to march for 7 days before the walls of Jericho fell down (Joshua 6:1-21 NIV). Ruth had to leave her home, her family and travel to a distant land to become part of the lineage of Christ; then she worked tirelessly in the fields to provide for her and her mother-in-law for months before being recognized by Boaz (Ruth 1:16-3:9 NIV). These are all different types of battles, but they are battles. Some fought on the battlefield, some fought in the kitchen, some fought in the wheat field. But they were all battles that ended in victory.
I have no idea what battle you are fighting, where it’s taking place or how long it’s been going on for you. I do know, through Christ you can have victory and victory to spare. But first you have to fight the battle. It’s the path to victory when you do it with Christ.
