Where Is Your Victory

Tonight, thousands of years ago, Jesus Christ was dead inside of a tomb. This night was one that many of His followers didn’t believe would actually happen. This night was one of utter darkness.

The enemy was smiling, content with what he thought he had accomplished. The spirits in the realm of darkness could rest, God was dead. They now ruled.

What a dark night. What a night full of hopelessness and fear. Every moment brought about more dread and loneliness for those who had trusted in this man whom they thought would save them. But he was gone.

As I sit here, in this land of barely any believers of Jesus, I sense that dread. I can see it in the eyes of the people here in this country. I notice the hopelessness and fear and loneliness that lies just under the surface, locked away in their hiding place of choice. It’s easy to feel as if the enemy truly did win that night. I’m always one or two thoughts away from saying “there’s really no hope for this land.” Satan seems to have truly won here.

But I know how the story ends.
I know that God truly is not dead.
I know that the spirits in the realm of darkness didn’t rest for long because the God-man was not in that tomb for long and when he walked out all of hell was filled with fear. Because they knew their chance to actually win was forever gone.

Christ died on this night, many years ago, and on this night in Japan there are many that don’t know that he died for them. But we know how it ends. We are promised that ALL nations will be around the throne praising the nail-scarred, risen Savior for all of eternity. All nations, including this one that I’m in right now. So although the night may seem dark, the work may be slow, and the enemy may have many strongholds here... Jesus Christ has already risen and has already won. Death has no victory. Death died on that cross and now Hope lives on, now and for eternity.