No Victory Without Defeat

Earlier this year, we marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day. On May 8, 1945, Winston Churchill announced the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. It was a moment of great victory—but one born from immense struggle. Churchill’s words still echo today: “The German war is therefore at an end… We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.”

Victory always comes at a cost. There is no peace without a fight. No freedom without the defeat of tyranny. And that’s exactly the message Psalm 68 celebrates—not just in the context of military triumph, but in the broader, eternal victory of God.

Psalm 68 is a bold, victorious anthem that celebrates God rising up to scatter His enemies. It’s full of vivid imagery—smoke being blown away, wax melting before fire, kings fleeing, mountains trembling. But this isn’t just a song about power. It’s a song about purpose.

God’s defeat of His enemies is not random violence. It is just judgment. The world is full of sin, rebellion, and evil—and God, being good, must confront it. Psalm 68 reminds us: God judges sin because He is good, not in spite of it.

But the Psalm doesn’t stop at judgment. There’s salvation too. Verse 20 proclaims, “Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.” Victory over evil leads to salvation for those who turn to Him. Like a king returning from battle with gifts, God not only defeats but delivers—He rescues the humble, the broken, the burdened.

Psalm 68 also reveals the heart of this victorious God. He is not only mighty but merciful: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows… God sets the lonely in families” (vv.5–6). This is the God who uplifts the vulnerable even as He brings down the proud. His Kingdom is a place of justice, joy, and deep compassion.

Ultimately, this Psalm points forward—to Jesus. The Apostle Paul saw in this ancient song a foreshadowing of Christ’s ultimate triumph. At the cross, Jesus defeated sin, death, and Satan. It looked like defeat—but it was the greatest victory in history. As Paul wrote in Colossians 2:15, “He made a public spectacle of [the powers], triumphing over them by the cross.”

So the Psalm’s final note becomes our invitation: “Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord!” (v.32). The call is not just to observe God’s victory, but to join it. Not to stand apart, but to kneel before the victorious King and receive the grace He offers.

Friend or foe—where do you stand? The victory has been won. Now is the time to rejoice, to repent, and to join the song of praise to the God who saves.

Talk Headings:

The setting and the story

1. Joy in God who defeats his enemies

2. Thanks to God who saves his people

3. Praise for God who defends the vulnerable

4. Awe before God who guides and provides

5. The Response from many who submit to God

You can watch the whole sermon below, read the full text, download the service sheet (with outline).