“For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” II Chronicles 20:12 NKJV

Team sports have never played a big role in my life. I enjoyed watching my kids play varsity soccer, but I never got a trophy of my own…I’m way too uncoordinated to hit any ball with anything.

But competitive? Absolutely. Give me a spelling bee, a board game, or a ski run to conquer, and I’m all in. I like winning. Who doesn’t?

A victory usually carries a celebration with it, especially when you’ve accomplished something big. When I published my first book, I celebrated by planting apple trees!

Can you identify big victories in your life? Usually we think of winning events like a championship game or the Final Jeopardy question.

We pay less attention to the small victories in our daily routines. Maybe it’s lifting a heavier weight at the gym, teaching a child a new word to speak, or creating the perfect pie crust. It could be some sort of peer recognition at work, finding a new treatment for a health issue, staying sober for years, or landing a big client. These are all worth celebrating, especially when you’ve worked hard for the achievement.

Even rarer are those moments when we recognize we’ve been given a victory through no effort on our part…when God is the author of the triumph.

King Jehoshaphat of ancient Judah was a popular leader, following his father’s footsteps to encourage citizens to walk in God’s commandments. He delighted in God’s ways and removed the idols from the land. People loved to give him gifts, and Jehoshaphat wound up with riches and honor in abundance. He built fortresses, storage cities, alliances, and an army of 1.2 million men.

Jehoshaphat was a powerful man. A big winner.

But he was suddenly faced with a bigger competitor–the combined forces of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir coming against his kingdom. He found himself backed into a no-win corner. Powerless.

So Jehoshaphat called upon the Lord, praised Him for His strength, and asked Him for guidance and protection. God answered through a Levite prophet named Jahaziel, telling Jehoshaphat not to be afraid or dismayed because the battle was not his to fight but God’s. The Lord told the king to go down against his enemies and then stand still to watch God bring salvation.

Jehoshaphat sent choirs out ahead of his collected troops to sing about the beauty of God’s holiness! Amazing! While the singers were still praising, God created a chaotic battlefield where the enemies destroyed each other. Instead of fighting against tough warriors, Jehoshaphat’s people found only dead bodies and returned to Jerusalem to celebrate loudly at the house of God.

This was a huge victory indeed, and no one in Judah lifted a finger to achieve it. All they did was humble themselves, call upon God, trust His word, and obey His commands. God did the rest.

What a great example to follow when we need a victory against overwhelming odds! We need to fall on our knees, pray, trust God, and obey Him. He is great, all-powerful, and mighty to save.

This applies not only to the big challenges in life but also with the smaller issues where He has provided a triumph for you. Maybe it’s a conflict with a difficult co-worker, where you can’t escape…and the worker gets transferred elsewhere. Maybe you experience an unexpected medical cost that you can’t pay…until you miraculously receive funds from an unknown source. Perhaps you have prayed for years for prodigal loved ones…and find there’s a bit of a thaw toward their receiving the word of the Lord into their hearts.

Whatever the answer to your prayers, remember to thank God immediately…and then celebrate His love and power. He is pleased when we honor Him as the source of all good things.

In our busy lives, it’s sometimes hard to remember to be grateful. But a celebration always brings joy to us and to God. Let’s rejoice today with Jesus, to thank Him again for His victory over sin and death!

All-powerful God and King, I praise you for the many victories You have achieved in my life. Thank You for walking through trials with me and answering my prayers. Keep my eyes forever fixed on You, and remind me to celebrate Your gifts! In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Jesus #trophies #victory #champion #winner