Claim victory

Yesterday, August 9, the Department of Justice held the first hearing regarding the case “of sedition, inciting to sedition, libel, and obstruction of justice” filed last July 18 by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group against 36 prominent government critics including VP Leni Robredo, senators Leila de Lima and Lisa Hontiveros, ex-senators Bam Aquino and Antonio Trillanes, prominent Catholic bishops, priests, lawyers, and other public figures.

How far can campaigners go to restore genuine truth, justice, and human rights in this country where intimidation, harassment, and other violent tactics are employed against the critics and the powerless?

To the brave Filipinos, these inspiring words from the August 8 daily reading of the devotional “Streams in the Desert:”

“You are my king, O God! Decree Jacob’s deliverance! (Ps 44:4).

“Here is no foe to your growth in grace, no enemy in your Christian work, which was not included in your Savior’s conquests. You need not be afraid of them. When you touch them, they will flee before you. God has promised to deliver them up before you. Only be strong and very courageous! Fear not, nor be dismayed! The Lord is with you, O mighty men of valor—mighty because one with the Mightiest. Claim victory! Whenever your enemies close in upon you, claim victory! Whenever heart and flesh fail, look up and claim victory!”

“Be sure that you have a share in that triumph which Jesus won, not for Himself alone, but for us all; remember that you were in Him when He won it, and claim victory!

“Reckon that it is yours, and gather spoil. Neither the Anakim nor fenced cities need daunt or abash you. You are one of the conquering legion. Claim your share in the Savior’s victory.” —Joshua, by Meyer.

Remember Joshua? “Though it seemed foolish, Joshua followed God’s instructions to the letter. When the people did finally shout, the massive walls collapsed instantly, and Israel won an easy victory. God had given the city of Jericho to them before they even began to march around its walls (Joshua 6:2, 16). It was when the people of God, by faith, followed the commands of God that the walls of Jericho fell down (Joshua 6:20).”

To the brave Filipinos who fight for God’s people and his truth and justice, these selected portions of this August 9 prayer from the same devotional:

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee who passing through the valley of weeping, make it a well.” Psalms 84:5-6

“Comfort does not come to the light-hearted and merry. We must go down into ‘depths’ if we would experience this most precious of God's gifts--comfort, and thus be prepared to be co-workers together with Him.”

“When needful night gathers over the garden of our souls...there shall never be wanting, even in the thickest darkness, drops of heavenly dew-- which falls only when the sun has gone.”

“…the 'God of all comfort' was with me, at hand to uphold and sustain. He places us oft in the furnace, the dross from the gold to destroy. When he leads thro' some valley of trouble, His omnipotent hand we trace; for the trials and sorrows He sends us, are part of His lessons in grace

“Well He knows that affliction is needed; He has a wise purpose in view, in the dark valley He whispers, "Hereafter Thou'lt know what I do."

“So we'll follow wherever He leadeth, let the path be dreary or bright; for we've proved that our God can give comfort; Our God can give songs in the night.”

“Choose the good.” Isaiah 7:15