Daily Devotional for Sunday, October 2 

Victory That Overcomes the World

Young Anthony severely burned his hands and arms when he turned his walker over onto a floor furnace when he was just a toddler. Doctors said he would not likely have use of his hands for the duration of his life. Just a few years later, he heard a hymn sung at church that struck a chord in his young heart. He was only a young boy, but he was old enough to understand that he was not supposed to be able to use his hands. Determined to overcome, when he arrived home from church, he went to the piano and began to pluck out the melody of the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” by ear. At the age of five years old, Anthony was accepted into the Cadek Conservatory and began to train as a classical pianist. Considered a young prodigy, Anthony Burger went on to become one of the most widely known gospel pianists in the world. 

Overcoming obstacles in life, like Anthony’s burned hands, takes diligence and tremendous hard work. However, overcoming this sinful world and our sin nature is not something that can be done in the flesh. The only way to overcome this world is through the power of God. John gives us great hope and confidence that we are already overcomers if we are in Christ. Our faith in Christ is the victory that overcomes the world. 

There is no obstacle greater than the sin nature yet, thanks be to God for the power to overcome. Not only this, because of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, we will also overcome the grave. This great truth gives us boldness to live for Christ in this fallen world.

JUST A THOUGHT: Knowing we are overcomers, and the battle is already won assures us that we can live a victorious life in Christ.

Steven Ridings