The Conquering King – The Presidential Prayer Team

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession. – 2 Corinthians 2:14

Commentators agree that, in today’s verse, Paul refers to the procession when a conquering king would lead the defeated people along with the spoils of war. However, there are two takes on exactly what Paul means. There are truths to be drawn from both of them.

The first analysis infers that Paul was talking about himself and other believers as the slaves Christ conquered. But instead of the dejection on their faces that the conquered people undoubtedly wore, those who yield to Christ’s lordship rejoice. The second interpretation is that Paul is talking about being a victor in Christ, leading people away from lives of sin and death to yield to the Lordship of Christ. With either interpretation, Christ is the exalted King and believers receive new lives in Him. In the second half of today’s verse, Paul alludes to the Roman processions where they burned incense to honor the gods and scattered flowers to honor the king: “…and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere”m (v 14b).

Great peace is one of the spoils of war between our Savior and Satan. In Christ, even during problems, a believer can have peace knowing the comfort of the Holy Spirit on Earth and the promise of eternal life in Heaven. Give thanks to God, as Paul did, for leading you in triumph. Intercede for the citizens and elected officials of the United States to yield to the conquering King, so that they may also walk in the newness of life and have the hope of Heaven.

Today’s Verse: 2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
²The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
³“Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

⁴He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
⁵Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
⁶“As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”

⁷I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
⁸Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
⁹You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

¹⁰Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
¹¹Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
¹²Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.