Victory

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Luke 10:17–20
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Victory
We all love winners. We want our football or baseball team to with the championship. We want the US to take home as many gold medals at the Olympics as possible. It is part of our human nature to want to be on the winning side. As the seventy-two returned, they were on a victory high; they rejoiced at their ability to overcome and defeat the powers of darkness. Yet Christ our Lord cautions them not to see the defeat of the enemy as their victory but that their names are written in the Book of Life. The Seventy-two had advanced into Satan’s territory as people believed the Gospel they delivered. And until Christ’s return, we also remain in this war zone, where Satan does everything he can to destroy us and halt the Gospel’s advance. In Christ, however, we are protected. In Him, we cannot lose, even though put to death, for in the end, Christ grants us eternal life. We have already won. Your victory was secured on the cross in Christ’s blood. Jesus is now our light when worldly darkness tries to shroud ushttps://storage2.snappages.site/s8zcy17sd8/assets/files/8-1-23.mp3. Christ our Lord is our shield when earthly armor fails us. And as the devil attacks us Christ's peace comes to us, and we are victorious.