The Victory

But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. Psalm 60:4 (NIV Bible)


As a former athlete and coach, I know the joy of winning and the feelings when you lose. All of my teams had a flag, or if you will, a banner. Now, these banners did not protect us in any way. However, we valued those banners and saw them as representing us as a team. This design represents the banner described in the Psalm. The banner is deflecting the arrows of the evil one, and protecting God’s people from harm.

As a small child I can remember being afraid during one of those typical violent Ohio thunderstorms. I was sitting on my Grandmother Gowitzka’s lap and she was reading to me from the Bible. She sensed my fear and comforted me and said, “Bobby, do not fear. Jesus told us that he will always be with us and protect us from harm.” Those words from Grandma have stayed with me all my life. No matter what happens in this life, Jesus guards our souls. As a Christian, I know that I am not of this world, but only am in it for a short time. And as it is written in Matthew 28:20, Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Now, that’s what I call a great insurance policy!

My father’s mother, Lola Spence, had kept a journal. I did not know of its existence until more than twenty years after her passing. In one of her entries, Grandma wrote, “My prayer has been for a stronger faith, a clearer understanding and a love that passes all understanding, and I am getting it now. All the experiences I have passed through in this life have given me a deeper understanding of human nature. If you want true happiness, take Christ as your personal savior and put Him first above all other things and your life will be transformed. All worry and fear were replaced with faith and love when I made the important decision and took a definite stand for Christ.” In today’s world we hear the politicians talking about transforming our lives. I reject their claims! I reject their social justice! I reject their collective salvation! Instead, I commit my life to Jesus and the true transformation of lives! And like Grandma, I have made the decision and taken a stand for Christ, because He has secured the victory for us! AMEN!