As I was out walking this morning, praying and being alone with the Lord, this song came into my heart ” Victory is mine.” And, because of the wonders of modern technology, I pulled it up on my phone and began to listen to this old gospel song. Now, a couple of years ago, my old auntie had to have brain surgery. Part of her preparation was to have her genes tested, dont ask me why. Anyway, it was discovered that there is 10% of African blood in the McElenys. I think this is awesome but I can report that none of that blood has translated into me being able to dance or move in any kind of reasonably rhythmic fashion. So, when I put on the song this morning as I walked along the trail and I had an urge to walk in rhythm to the music I had to scan the horizon in all directions to make sure it was all clear. It was. I could now give way to my urge to kinda dance/walk along the way. I think it looked something like John Travolta walking down the street with his platform shoes in Saturday night fever. Sure enough, within about a minute, two people passed me on their bike, sniggering I am sure. Now I am either old enough or bold enough to not really care.

As I replayed the song and felt the power of God begin to run through me as I considered that Victory was mine, my legs and hips wanted to get in on the action. Before long my hands were jealous and even although I looked round each time I added to my dance routine, every time after about a minute, I was passed by folks on bikes. Now, I did resist the urge to do jazz hands 🙂 It is a wonderful thing to be unashamed of God. It is a wonderful thing to be filled with His Spirit as we consider His Victory in our lives. But can I tell you, when you are walking through the darkest periods of your life, when the narrow path takes you through the deepest darkest valleys, if you can sing in your heart the victories of God, if you can proclaim to the enemy that Victory is yours and tell Satan to ” get thee behind,” what wonderful light comes pouring into your spirit.

The joy of the Lord is my strength. God comes and inhabits the praises of His people. Darkness flees when Christ comes into a situation. The situation might not change but strength and courage and encouragement comes flooding into our souls. If you are struggling today, if you are feeling low and discouraged, I want to encourage you to remind yourself that ” Victory is mine.” Declare it out loud. Then add joy is mine, peace is mine. They are yours, they are yours in Christ. If you will wait upon the Lord, if you will continue to trust in Him no matter what, if you will continue to give thanks to Him despite your situations, then He will come and you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not faint, you will mount up with wings as eagles and catch the updrafts of His presence that will lift you up and draw you deeper into the Father’s heart. Stand fast saints, the day of His coming is one day closer than it was yesterday.