The word had not been much in my vantage point until it became my One Word for 2021. It’s funny how it works as now I see it more frequently.
It’s interesting to see the journey the word takes as it weaves its way in and through one’s heart and mind, deeply impacting and forever changing our lives.
Using a different dictionary, I discovered another definition for the word “prevail”: “to gain ascendancy through strength or superiority; to triumph” (from merriam-webster.com).
I loved that definition as it collided with a verse from my morning reading time:
“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, NASB)
We prevail, or overwhelmingly conquer, because of our position in Christ. It is through Him we gain strength, superiority, or triumph. It is not of our doing or something we can muster up.
One commentary helps us to understand our position in Christ:
“The love of God gives us “a glorious hyper-victory,†more than can be described or contained in one word. God’s love and grace has made us hyper-conquerors, empowered to be unrivaled, more than a match for any foe!â€
(from The Passion Translation, as found on Bible Gateway)
We need to see ourselves as we have been positioned in Christ. It is His love, His power, which enables us to face adversity and overcome. Jesus empowers us to conquer all the obstacles in our lives, one day at a time.
“HE will silently plan for you,His object of omniscient care;God Himself undertakes to be
Your Pilot through each subtle snare.He WILL silently plan for you,
So certainly, He cannot fail!
Rest on the faithfulness of God,
In Him you surely will prevail!”He will SILENTLY plan for you
some wonderful surprise of love.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
But it is kept for you above.He will silently PLAN for you,
His purposes will all unfold;
Your tangled life will shine at last,
a masterpiece of skill untold.He will silently plan FOR YOU,
Happy child of a Father’s care;
As if no other claimed His love,
But you alone to Him were dear.
(E. Mary Grimes)
(from Streams in the Desert, Feb. 8th)
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you. If you share on social media, the hashtag #LetsHaveCoffee would be greatly appreciated!
Photo taken by: David Tommasino
Today I am joining …
Thank God for the victory He gives through Christ.
Thank you for this, sweet Joanne. 🥰ðŸ™ðŸ»
That is one powerful word, Joanne, a perfect reminder that we belong to the same God who designed the universe.
Amen Joanne, I love this. So beautifully spoken. Blessings.
#4
I so love your word Prevail, Joanne. And even more so now. It has a richer meaning than I realized.
This: “We prevail, or overwhelmingly conquer, because of our position in Christ.” The “overwhelmingly” part is especially powerful.
Such powerful words on this word “prevail.” Beautiful piece. This really resonated with me, “We prevail, or overwhelmingly conquer, because of our position in Christ. It is through Him we gain strength, superiority, or triumph. It is not of our doing or something we can muster up.”
We are overcomers, in Christ – prevailers!
Joanne, “Prevail” speaks such encouragement in the hard places! I love your thoughts here, and needed to be reminded that God is at work even when it seems He is silent. Thank you!!
So praying at this time because of covid that yes, that with God we prevail, and overwhelm things. Thanks for the coffee.
Wow! Thanks for sharing the Passion Translation of the verse, “The love of God gives us “a glorious hyper-victory,†more than can be described or contained in one word.” I find so often that looking at a word through all the translations sheds new light. How blessed we are to have these resources!
Joanne, I love how you tied the Merriam-Webster definition of “prevail” to Romans 8:37. “He makes us more than we can ever be in ourselves.” Amen!
That poem is so powerful!
At some points in my life, I was worried that God was silent when I needed Him. and yet…every time I realized his love for me is what allowed me to prevail. Beautiful post!