Overwhelmingly conquer

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

Overwhelmingly conquer – Paul was a military fan.  He would have probably cheered for the Tennessee Titans or the New York Giants.  His choices of metaphors often employ pictures of warfare and great battles.  He doesn’t seem to care too much for teams with the names of animals.  You might catch him in New Orleans, but he wouldn’t be in the stands of the Saints.  He would be on the field.

These two words in English are really one Greek compound verb.  One part of this verb you already know.  It is nike (from nikao).  It means, “to conquer, to defeat”.  That’s why the shoes are called Nike.  They carry the name of victory in every step.  But in this word, Paul adds something to intensify the thought.  He adds huper.  It means, “to place above or over.”  This victory is a total defeat of the enemy.  It is a 56 to 0 blowout.  It is total dominance.  A 500-yard offensive onslaught.  Hupernikao.  But for Paul, the game was over the moment Jesus said, “thy will be done.”

When you watch athletic teams compete, there is usually a period toward the end of the game referred to as “garbage time”.  Garbage time is that part of the game when the winning team has the victory in hand.  All that’s left is to run out the clock.  The losing team can still make some spectacular plays.  There can still be excitement.  But you know the contest is over.  The fans head for the exits. Garbage time only exists when one team has overwhelmingly conquered the other.  This is what Paul wants us to see about the battles we face in life.  We are playing in garbage time.   The outcome of the contest was settled long ago at the cross.  There is no question at all about who is assured the victory.  God wins, 56 to 0.  But there is still time left on the clock.  There are still plays to run.  Sometimes it even looks like the opponent might score.  But God knows, and so do we, that the enemy has been defeated.  A set back here or there will not result in a loss.  God’s champions will still win.

Are you playing out your time on the field with the assurance that the victory is guaranteed?  There is still a lot to do, but never forget, it’s garbage time.  You can’t lose.

Today:  Whatever the biggest battle I face today, I will look to the sidelines and see the coach reminding me, “It’s just garbage time.  We’ve already won.”