Celebrating Victory

Devotional and Personal Journal

Obedient to Death

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:8 (NIV)

Face-to-face with my anguish, I came to a serious crossroad: fully obey the Lord by letting go of an offense or yield totally to my pain and nurse present hurts. Both decisions seemed costly—personally, spiritually and emotionally. In my heart I knew the right decision would bring wholeness and healing. Still, I grappled with the tremendous decision to obey the Lord and not pacify my flesh, which longed to linger in unforgiveness and offense.

Committing to not retreat into myself or my pain, I sought salve for this exposed wound. I prayed, read my Bible, and wept openly before the Lord. Only His Spirit could heal this aching in my heart. In desperation I pleaded, ‘Please Lord, please. Relieve me from this heartache and disappointment.’ And in a gentle whisper I sensed my loving Father say to me, “I will take care of you. But you must trust Me. And, if you trust me, then you must obey Me. Kim, do you trust Me?”

Having been part of conversations like this before, I’ve come to know that trusting the Lord always involves obedience and love in action. They go hand in hand. Yet, if you’ve ever been wounded by someone and you hear something to the above, you understand how piercing and impossible these words initially sound to the hurting soul and protective heart. Herein lay before me, my crossroad.

Consider for a moment the life of Christ and all he suffered. Scripture says, “…he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Because of His obedience—amidst the ambush of insults, accusations, physical abuse, flogging, humiliation, shame, rejection and ultimately His crucifixion on the cross (the most reprehensible form of death)—you and I have life. His obedience purchased our forgiveness, joy and eternal life. It doesn’t seem fair. Because it isn’t!

In lesser ways, we too must extend what doesn’t seem possible as we emulate the life of Christ. Beholding the obedience of Christ that day, created in me both a somber humility and triumphant victory. I am forever grateful that His obedience—perfected on the Cross at Calvary—assures me that I too can trust, obey and come out victorious.

With every step of obedience, we are drawn nearer to the cross. At the Cross is our victory! The same question the Lord asked of me, I ask you today, “Do you trust Him enough to obey Him?” I pray you take that first step of obedience, for He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).

Dear Lord, Help me to love you enough to obey you. Help me to understand and see that my obedience to You is interwoven with my love for You. Help me Lord, not to be afraid of obeying You but instead to yield myself to You, recognizing that my victory comes through my obedience. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Celebrate! Freedom in Every Area of Life

Celebrating Victory through Trust: How can you begin to trust God more as you reflect on this passage of scripture?

Celebrating Victory through Honor: How can you begin to honor God with your attitude and actions as you reflect on this passage of scripture?

Celebrating Victory through Worship: What one thing can you thank or worship the Lord for as you reflect on this passage of scripture?

Celebrating Victory through Love: What one thing could you do today to show God how much you love Him?

Celebrating Victory through Obedience: What is the Lord revealing to you about yourself through this devotional that will help you begin to obey Him even more?

Celebrating Victory Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to have a confident assurance that what You've spoken in my heart, You will fulfill.

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