From Victims to Victors

Redemption's best testimony in the Bible may be the sons of Korah, who wrote Psalms 42,44-49,84-85 and 87-88.Their Levite dad was Moses' first cousin, but rallied 250 leaders against him.The next day God sent a sudden sinkhole to swallow Korah.Numbers 16:32 implies the destruction of his household, but 26:11 says "the children of Korah died not." What victims they were! Per Num.14:29-31, they were under age 20.Their parents were taken suddenly, and it was obvious the Lord had done it. This memory haunted them: "We will not fear, even though the earth be removed"(Ps.46:2).Their psalms testify their redemption from victims to victors.

Here's my historical novel: Soon after Moses gets three orphan nephews, God says no outsiders shall enter the Tabernacle(Num.18:4,7).So Korah's sons "live" in the front corner of its court, guarding its door in shifts.They wrote in Ps.84:10, "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." They used to live in Korah's tent, until they heard and heeded Moses' warning to "get away from the tents of these wicked men"(Num.16:26). They echo this event in Ps.88: "I am counted with those who go down to the pit"(v.4), "from my youth I suffer your terrors;I am distraught"(v.15).God evicted the sons of Korah, but gave them a new lease on life.

Their psalms show their 4 steps from victim to victor:HURTS of REBELLION- admit our hurts, being honest with God about them. HOLINESS of WRATH- acknowledge His holiness, although it hurt us. HEALING of REDEMPTION- appropriate His healing our hurts to redeem our service; as they passed through the valley of tears, they made it a spring(Ps.84:6). HAPPINESS of REJOICING- announce His help! "Hope in God,for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance"(Ps.42:5,11).

Old Testament stories are for our example(1 Cor.10:11).Korah's sons' redemption from victims to victors exemplifies Romans 8: "We know God works all things together for good to those who love Him, called to His purpose"(v.28). "What (victimizations) shall separate us from the love of Christ?"(35)."In all these things we are more than victors through Him who loved us"(37).