Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, but he shall triumph at last. (Genesis 49:19 – NKJV)
Perhaps you are familiar with the phrase, “It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” The meaning is rooted in the understanding that nothing is irreversible until the final act is played out. The origin is a bit unclear, but comes to us from two areas of endeavor – Musical Theatre and Sports. Today, I want to encourage you not with the singing of the lady, but the speaking of our Lord, rooted in our verse.
As fallen broken people in a fallen broken world, the experience of Gad is the experience of all of us. How often our adversaries have the upper hand. Countless waves of challenge threaten to drive us into the sand bars of life. How many fiery furnaces have we experienced, only to be left in the ashes of defeat. The dark night of the soul has been often our experience. Like Good Friday, to the watching world, it looks like we are defeated. But, beloved, all that has been proven at this point is the first part of our verse today. We, like Gad, have been tramped upon and would be left in utter despair, if not for the second part.
It ain’t over till our faithful Lord speaks.
The promise is clear for the child of God . . . he shall triumph at last. The poet who said, “All’s well that ends well” spoke the most amazing and comforting biblical truth. For the believer, no battle – no conflict – no challenge – is to be judged by its beginning, for he shall triumph at the last. Remember this, everything you are going through – you are going through it. God is conforming you into the image and likeness of His beloved Son. He is using every life experience to this end and has given you the promise that all things are working toward your eternal good.
I pray today that a calm confidence would embrace you regardless of where this finds you. Remember, God did not bring you this far just to leave you here. He who began this good work in you has promised to complete it . . . at last. Victory is assured. Oh, one final word about last – as Bunyan said, “Last means forever, for nothing can come after the last!” Let that truth set you free not just today, but every day as you make your way to the Celestial City.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 