Victory in Jesus
I heard an old, old story
How a Savior came from glory
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me
I heard about His groaning
Of His precious blood's atoning
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory, yeah
Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood
He loved me 'ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
I heard about His healing
Of His cleansing power revealing
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit"
And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory
Victory in Jesus, my Savior forever
He sought me, and He bought me with His redeeming blood
He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood, oh. yeah
Sweet, sweet Jesus
Yes, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever
He sought me, and He bought me with His redeeming blood
He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
Yes, He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
Ah, victory. What a wonderful thought it is to know of our victory. Victory is a claim that every Christian can make through Jesus Christ. When Eugene Bartlett was dying from a sudden massive stroke, he took months to write “Victory in Jesus.”[1] The song defined his life.
Paul proclaims boldly, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”[2] Similarly, Eugene declares, “Yes, victory in Jesus, my Savior forever.” It is interesting to see the development of Eugene’s song. At first, we hear of an old story, followed by Eugene realizing the truth of Jesus Christ. This is then followed by Eugene’s repenting and consequential salvation and victory. In the first verse of the second stanza, Eugene proclaims victory forever. But, note the difference in the next stanza where Eugene cries out, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit.” The following verse changes from the beginning, “And somehow Jesus brought to me the victory.”
Victory in Jesus is not something we attain; rather, it is something we obtain. Our Savior knows that we are crippled by sin, and he brings victory to us because we cannot even walk to it, for we are too fraught with ailments. What an image is that! He loves us so much that though we have nothing to offer him but a broken spirit and a sin-riddled body, though we cannot even take what he has to offer with strong hands, he brings victory to us so that we might grasp it securely with his help.[3]
When I listen to this song, I can hardly keep from crying. As I hear the verses sung and the notes played, I feel the cleansing flood wash over me like a newborn child. I cannot but cry out, “Dear Jesus! Come and heal me!” I can see the heart of Eugene in this final song of his. I want his heart. I want his dedication. I pray that I can one day be as humble and broken as Eugene.
[1] Ace Collins, Stories behind the Songs and Hymns about Heaven (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2019), 232.
[2] The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), 1 Co 15:55.
[3] The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), Ro 7:24.