JOY of the Victorious Christian by Jenna Vick Silliman

“We shout for JOY in triumph at our victory and in the name of our Lord God we raise our banners high. He will fulfill all our plans…From His holy heaven He will show the strength of His right hand on our behalf.” Psalm 20:5

Our Kingdom Bloggers question of the week is: What is your spiritual battle strategy?

My battle strategy is a victorious mindset and proclaiming triumph accompanied by celebrating with JOY and laughter, singing and dancing in the name of the Lord Jesus. We read in the Scriptures how the battle is already won; the victory belongs to our Lord Who triumphs over sin and death, over the schemes of the enemy, with the finished work of the cross.

We are living in a season of celebration on the other side of the cross. We are like the friends and family of the prodigal son. When the older brother approached his home he heard music and dancing. We are having a party! We are continually enjoying a Holy Ghost party! The angels rejoice all around us in the glory realm. We are rejoicing, rejoicing always, in the Father’s goodness. We are letting our minds dwell on whatever is worthy of praise—and there are SO many things to give Him thanks for!

Our words are powerful and we hereby declare VICTORY in the power endued from on high in the mighty name of Jesus, our Lord and our King. We have been crucified with Christ, raised with Christ, and now we are seated in the heavenlies—actually seated with Christ on His heavenly throne! That’s what the Scripture says. We have a whole new perspective when we awaken to our citizenship in the heavenly kingdom as royalty and heirs of King Jesus.

The enemy and all his workers have been defeated! Whoohooo!!! If the worm tries to pull any little thing, we know where to tell him to go. He hates it when we laugh; so when he tries to distract us with his garbage, or tells us lies, let's just laugh at him. Hahaha! We know what Jesus taught us to pray. Your Kingdom, Lord, has come to this earth and now only Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! We declare and decree it and we celebrate the victory that is already ours.

This season was prophesied by Jeremiah. In chapter 31 we read the Lords command to sing aloud on the heights of Zion and be radiant with JOY over the goodness of the Lord. The Lord says, Go forth in the dancing of those who make merry…the maidens, the young men and the elderly, all rejoice together in the dance for I have turned your mourning into JOY! I fill your mouths with laughter. I cause your lives to be “like a well-watered garden.” He says, I created My people to be a rejoicing people and My people will be satisfied with My goodness.

When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He gives us the desires of our hearts. We are like the tree in Psalm One. We are firmly planted in Him, we have roots that go down deep and drink from His refreshing waters, we have branches and leaves that are flourishing, and do not wither even in times of drought, and we are constantly bearing good fruit. We are blessed, happy, delighting in His every promise, meditating on His Word day and night.

The JOY of the Lord is our strength. When we gather we testify of all our victories and triumphs, our testimonies of walking day by day and hand in hand with our Lord, abiding in Him, one with Him, and co-reigning with Him. When we gather, even two or three of us, He is present in our midst. My very favorite verse in the Bible says: “In His Presence is fullness of joy.” (This verse is found in the Bible in two places—Psalm 16:11 and Acts 2:28.) One of the fruits of the Lord’s Holy Spirit is joy. The Lord promises He never leaves us or forsakes us. He constantly gives us reason to rejoice. When we gather let’s raise our flags (or banners) high in celebration!

Just as Jesus for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, we too can continually set JOY before us. The Lord says, “Well done faithful servant, enter into and share in the JOY of your Master.”