Weary and Worn

Listening to the news, random conversations at gatherings and diatribes during coffee with friends has led to an alarming discovery - collectively, we are not what we once were.

The unholy fervor is catching, but can I remind you? There’s only one source of truth and we can trust and follow the peace this source offers. We do not have to be afraid!

There are numerous Biblical references to those who are not of this world. These are the people God has chosen, the ones he has redeemed, the believers, the true leaders. This special breed has been given access to the source of love, joy, truth and peace. Amazingly, this gift is open to everyone, and by grace we are among them. The simple truth is…

You are an Overcomer!

Last week during a women’s Bible study on Habakkuk, the topic of faith without works came up as we were discussing Habakkuk 2:4 “[T]he righteous will live by his faith.”

I asked, “What must we do to be saved? Who are the righteous? How do you know you are right with God? Is there any assurance in this Old Testament verse?”

All eyes turned to me with a palpable intensity. A teachable moment had arrived! We ditched the rest of the lesson to lay hold of what had startled the work-based faith of Martin Luther as he pondered scripture. Like Luther, we searched for answers to our fear. Similarly, we experienced the Holy Spirit as he arrived in spectacular form to comfort and encourage.

How did this tiny verse change the world?

With one obscure reference in Habakkuk, God grabbed hold of Martin Luther and would not let his mind rest until he got closure on what the verse meant for him and those around him. In short, Martin Luther learned that he was an Overcomer. He could trust his gift of faith because he could trust his faithful Lord. He found the same assurance in Romans 1 from the Apostle Paul.

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed by faith, for faith, just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17 EHV

Luther was astonished when Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4b. Utterly intrigued, he looked at the Greek word for righteousness (instead of the Latin one) and saw that the righteousness referred to is God’s righteousness won on the cross, given to believers freely. Luther grasped the truth - he too, was not a slave to doing, but credited as right with God, based on faith in the love and sacrifice of Jesus - in his place.

At the moment of “getting it” he said, “I was born anew and the gates of heaven had been opened to me.” With this new understanding of salvation, Martin Luther challenged the church to teach what Scripture teaches. From that quest, Martin Luther, along with a myriad of other reformers, risked his life for what is now known as the Reformation. Overcomer, indeed! If you attend a Protestant church, your life has been affected by Martin Luther’s moment in Habakkuk 2:4 quoted in Romans 1:17. He was born for this moment.

Homeward Bound

Our Bible class ended with each woman leaving renewed, refreshed and recharged to live as an Overcomer. The sweet message filled our weary souls with the fresh water of the Word. Instead of feeling powerless and out of control, we left knowing though we are weak, God is strong. He is mighty to save. Instead of being bitter and angry over current challenges, we remembered to wait patiently on the Lord, and to pray for those who would believe. Instead of being downtrodden with bad news of today, the women were visibly filled with the joy of the Lord and bright hope for the future.

Traveling as children of the light on the road to glory is not always easy, is it? There are still sorrows. There are situations we confront. There are bad things that happen. But through it all, the Overcomers know one perfect truth and cling to it for all they are worth.

No, in all these things we are completely victorious through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor powerful forces, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 EHV

Everyone needs to know this hope because everyone is broken. Even if you are a superachiever and are beautiful, rich, athletic, and breeze through life, I know that you struggle, too. Life is often frustrating and can turn on a dime.

No matter, God’s people are in the process of overcoming not only what happens in daily life, but overcoming the true cause - sin. They are forgiven, and growing to be like Jesus in all aspects of life. They have the true peace of a real Overcomer. They reflect, in increasing measure, the perfection of Christ, the Ultimate Overcomer for all time, even over death.

Still overwhelmed?

It will pass one day. In the meantime, rest in the Father’s arms of love for you. Delight in the joy of being a redeemed child of God - a cherished, untouchable Overcomer!

Blessed are the sons of God,
They are bought with Christ’s own blood;
They are ransomed from the grave,
Life eternal they shall have.
With them numbered may we be,
Here and in eternity! CW #394