With our technology in hand, we are instantly aware of natural disasters, economic crises, political divisions, distant wars and rumors of wars, etc, all over the world. Each story seeks to ignite enough fear in us to hold us to the screen. How do we navigate all of this chaos and also maintain the heart of peace and joy that Christ died to give us?

Our verse today reminds us that we are children of the conqueror! Christ’s victory is the Christian’s triumph! Jesus overcame the Prince of this world, disarmed him, cast him out, and continues to crush him under our feet. His day (the last day) is set. His doom is sealed. Jesus has also won our victory over sin and death and will put both down together forever on that final day. He defeated the evil of this world by allowing it to defeat him on the cross and then triumphing over it in resurrection power. And now he lives in us and has given us his power to overcome the world, as he did!

So what does that mean for us as we mourn all that is crumbling around us and as we, ourselves, experience trouble? Faith in Jesus is the source of our victory; the means, the spiritual armor by which we overcome! He is still in control. We do not have to be afraid. His purposes are still good (and redemptive) for those who know him. As we keep our eyes on him and trust in his purposes, we can put to death the desires of the world, defeat the sin we are tempted by, and stand firm in the trials that come our way. And we get to join him in the fight against the darkness of it all, in his name and by his power! In spite of all that we have been blessed with here, we will never be satisfied in this world, because our hope and satisfaction is in Christ, and our future is secure, in heaven!