resilience | lent devotions

“But thanks be to God, who in the Messiah constantly leads us in a triumphal procession and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of what it means to know him!” 2 Corinthians 2:14, CJB

This verse resonates with me because Ian and I have two huge dogs and - frankly - at times they stink. As a result, we have diffusers everywhere in the house. The idea is to smell them, not the dogs.

The bible says when you triumph you are a fragrance diffuser; you smell like the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere you go. And, amazingly, triumph has been made easy for you because:

• you have been set apart for the gospel of God.  You only have one purpose in life and that is to live for Christ AND
• your spirit is alive to Christ and you are seated in the heavenly realms with Christ, so you have access to the ultimate corridors of power AND
• as Jesus’ co-heir you have authority to rule. Not just in the future after Jesus’ return, but now. You can rule in the midst of your enemies and receive God's abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness to reign in life AND
• you’re a partaker of the divine nature.  The characteristics of God’s nature are becoming yours AND
• you have his word. In Revelation the imagery should be that Jesus rides the red horse of war, but he doesn’t. Jesus rides the white horse of triumph. And his sword (which is the word of God) isn’t in his hand, it’s in his mouth.  Jesus overcomes evil by his word and he has given that to you so you can use it to triumph, too
  

Triumphing has been made easy for you because you matter to Jesus – and so does everyone with whom you share his fragrance.

Let’s pray
Thank you for always leading me in triumph, Jesus. Make me smellier! In your precious name. Amen.

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