The Call to Overcome

UV 2175/10000 The Call to Overcome
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Revelation 3 v 12

The Lord establishes the called, the chosen and faithful as a pillar of His temple. A pillar or tower has functional and aesthetic roles. It is a source of both strength and beauty. It is part of a larger architectural structure. It is weight- bearing and plays a supportive role in the larger structure. It is not a mere ornament but has a critical function to provide stability, too. We are called to be living temples or a place where the Lord is constantly worshipped, thanked and prayed to. We are called to be overcomers. Our faith will be tested in a variety of ways. We are to overcome the wicked one. We are to overcome the temptations that he throws our way like a bird hunter throws the ensnaring net. The Lord will enhance our strength and beauty of our lives. We are destined to be victorious and not to be successful through compromise with the enemy of our souls. We will be subjected to many pressures just like iron is turned into steel in temperatures ranging up to 2000 degrees centigrade. But we are to endure and overcome discouragement and persecution. The secret to overcoming and enduring till the end is continuing or constant worship, thanksgiving and prayer. Like a pillar in a temple, we will cleave to God and never leave His presence. Our minds will always be anchored in Him, focussed on the author and finisher of our faith. All the beauty, riches, glory of the Lord is accessible and available to us.

The Lord will reveal Himself to us in our various situations, tests and trials in life. Through these we will discover the inner meaning and relevance of each name of Jehovah- Jireh, the Provider, Rapha, the Healer, Nisi, the Victorious One, El Shadda, the Almighty One, Shalom, the Prince of Peace. He will give a new sense of identity to the manger leader or manager. A new name or identity implies changes in our personalities, psyche, emotional pattern, speech pattern, activities, perspectives, priorities, goals, abilities and lifestyle. Since the Lord is the one who gives us the new name or identity, He will equip, enable and empower to fulfil the meaning and purpose of our lives.

The manger leader or manager does not regard himself as a permanent citizen of this world but as a citizen of heaven who is temporarily passing through this world like a traveller moves through wilderness to reach an amazing city. The utter or sheer contrast between heaven and earth enables him to bear the hardships of this life with a sense of peace and hope. His destiny and his destination are the city of God, the new Jerusalem where there is neither sorrow, trouble, trial, temptation, death, sin or defeat. He does not merely comfort himself like the rest of the world that “this too shall pass away” but that it will be replaced by a new hope, a new life, eternal bliss, joy forever. Such hope and faith becomes a source of added strength, security, stability, rejoicing and reassurance to the manger leader.

Prateep V Philip