VICTORY THROUGH GRACE

          Today many Christians are living as though they are on the losing side.  In recent years many events, often promoted by the liberal media, make it appear that the end of Christianity is approaching.  Believers are often pictured as intolerant, bigoted, ignorant and old fashioned.  But as somebody has said, I know this isn't true because I've read the end of the book (Bible) and I know how it all ends.  Yes, God is still on the throne and His promises are secure.  Even though the battle may be getting tougher, we are on the victory side.  "'For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:36-37). "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 15:57). "Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ" (II Cor. 2:14).  The reality of being more than conquerors was part of what stirred Fanny Crosby to pen the words of this hymn in 1890.  According to her own words, "Mr. Sweney (John R. Sweney) sent me the title and asked me to write a sort of battle piece. A day or two later he came to see me.  I told him that I had already begun the hymn and repeated as much as I had finished.  "Go on" he said, "that is right; we'll have our battle song."  The remainder of the hymn was written while he was at my house."  Some hymnals show the author as Sallie Martin, one of Fanny's pseudonyms.  I think there are various parts to the conquest which Crosby wrote about.  The "still to come" probably refers to the final victory over Satan and his forces (Rev. 19:11).  Then there is the triumph of Christ at the cross and the spiritual victories because of it.  And the "conquering now" may describe what happens daily as believers serve the Lord.  It is also important to note that spiritual victories are not to the swift or the strong.  Victories are promised to the true and the faithful, through grace.  So be encouraged, the battle is not lost and we can't fight it in our own strength.  But victory is promised to those who are true and faithful to the conquering King.

1. Conquering now and still to conquer,

rideth a King in His might;

Leading the host of all the faithful 
into the midst of the fight;

See them with courage advancing, 
clad in their brilliant array,

Shouting the Name of their Leader, 
hear them exultingly say:

Not to the strong is the battle, 
not to the swift is the race,

Yet to the true and the faithful 
vict'ry is promised through grace.

2. Conquering now and still to conquer, 
who is this wonderful King?

Whence are the armies which He leadeth, 
while of His glory they sing?

He is our Lord and Redeemer, 

Savior and Monarch divine;

They are the stars that forever bright 

in His kingdom shall shine.

Not to the strong is the battle, 
not to the swift is the race,

Yet to the true and the faithful vict'ry 
is promised through grace.

3. Conquering now and still to conquer, 
Jesus, Thou Ruler of all,

Thrones and their scepters all shall perish, crowns 
and their splendor shall fall,

Yet shall the armies Thou leadest, 
faithful and true to the last,

Find in Thy mansions eternal rest, 
when their warfare is past.

Not to the strong is the battle, 
not to the swift is the race,

Yet to the true and the faithful vict'ry 
is promised through grace.

Listen to it being sung here.    LISTEN