We, as new creations, are called to be overcomers; to be victors rather than victims; to be more than conquerors! To help illustrate what I mean, today’s teaching was inspired by the story behind my song, We Will Overcome, from the recording Here In Your Presence. I received this particular song on September 29, 2008.

[2 Cor. 2:14-15 NASB] 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…

This song came as I listened to the music of someone in the world of pop music - Michael Jackson. Michael was one of those people God led me to pray for quite often through the years and I did so until the day he passed away. Having gone on a 12 year fast from secular music from 1981 until 1993, I had missed most of his music during that period of time - even though I felt led to continue to pray for him. After that fast was completed, God gave me freedom to listen to secular music again so naturally, the music of Michael Jackson was brought to my attention.

One particular song that seemed very fun and catchy was called Black and White. Listening to the words, I realized there was not much of eternal value in this particular song…in fact, the words were almost nonsensical. After this listening session, I could not shake the joyful rhythm of the song. When such times come I know the Lord is probably inspiring something creative in me…so I decided to go with the flow of joy.

Due to the fact that I was in a season of personal spiritual warfare (as is quite usual for me), the song took on a very triumphant nature. We win. That’s the bottom line. Regardless of life’s circumstances or unfairness, we always win in the end! We will overcome! The enemy can throw all his tricks at me and bombard me with tremendous lies…but I still win. My eyes and my heart are focused on Jesus. We will overcome! Rather than face the enemy with despair and dread, I chose to face him and his lies with joy and a triumphant attitude.

Let’s look at the lyrics and the Scriptural truth behind each one:

We Will Overcome - Words & Music: Dennis Jernigan

Verse One

We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb!

By the blood of Jesus In victory we stand!

We have the victory!

We will overcome! 

Run to the battle for the victory has been won!

[Rom 8:35-39 NASB] 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Need I say more? Romans 8:35-39 is incredibly empowering truth every believer should latch onto and release in their own life!

Chorus

We will overcome By the blood of the One!

By the work of the cross! It is already done!

We will overcome! To the battle we run

Following our risen King!

Through Jesus we overcome!

Victory is won! We overcome!

[Eph 2:13-15 NASB] 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both [groups into] one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, [which is] the Law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, [thus] establishing peace…

There is power in the blood. Power to cleanse. Power to heal. Power to bring forth life from death. Power to deliver us from evil. Let us remember these truths when resisting the devil. And remember, we are at war…

[Jas 4:7 NASB] 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Verse Two

Even in the battle we grow weary and lose heart

We cannot forget who we serve, who we are!

He overcame sin and overcame the grave!

Our Mighty Champion!

And Lord Jesus is His name!

[Heb 12:1-3 NASB] 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The only time a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ would surrender is to Jesus - to the will of God. We give up only to Him - regardless of our circumstances!

Bridge

The foe may come against me

And try to bring me down!

Though I be discouraged I will never bow!

I am taking back every inch of all the stolen ground! 

There’s no stopping now!

[Joel 2:25-26 NASB] 25 "Then I will make up to you for the years That the swarming locust has eaten, The creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you. 26 "You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame.”

Not only is our God the Great Restorer, He takes even what the enemy has meant for evil and uses it for our good and for His glory! Just read the end of the Book! We win!

Regardless of what your particular battle is today, you can do the same. Let us face our accuser with the truth of God’s Word and with the joy of what we know the ending to be. Let me remind you once again of God’s Word on the matter:

O my God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed;  Do not let my enemies exult over me. Psalm 25:2 NASB

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” Revelation 12:11 NASB

Dennis Jernigan

If you would like to hear the song, We Will Overcome, you may do so on The Dennis Jernigan Podcast at http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/we-will-overcome/