Looking Forward to V-Day

 

"SHIELDED BY GOD'S POWER UNTIL THE COMING OF THE SALVATION."  1 PETER 1:5 NIV
 
In World War II, if you'd asked the brave souls in the French Resistance how they ever hoped to prevail against the forces of evil when they were ill-equipped and outnumbered, they'd have told you: "While we're struggling on this side of the Channel, an invasion force is assembling on the other side. Nobody knows exactly when, but soon a signal will be given, a fleet of ships will come, we'll join them and they'll carry us on to victory."

Every war has pivotal battles that shape the outcome, like Waterloo and Gettysburg. The Battle of Normandy determined the outcome of World War II, but it didn't immediately end it. In fact, things got worse before they got better. The battle was fought and won on D-day, but it wasn't until V-day the the war officially ended and victory was declared.

On earth we're in a life-or-death fight against the forces of evil. We live waiting for the trumpet that heralds Christ's return to lead us to victory. Jesus said, "No one knows...that day or hour" (Matthew 24:36 NIV). In the meantime He tells us to "Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13). He also gives us, "A living hope through the resurrection...into an inheritance that can never perish...for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation...to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV).

Christ's resurrection removes all our doubts about the final result. We won't limp out battered and broken, we'll march out triumphant, "a radiant church...holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:27 NIV).

So live your life in the light of God's V-day!