Do followers of God experience victory? What will be our ultimate victory? Let’s begin in 2 Chronicles 14.
Who became king of Judah after king Abijah? Did the land experience peace?
Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David. His son Asa became king in his place. During his reign the land experienced peace for 10 years. (2 Chr 14:1 HCSB)
Was Asa one of the good kings of Judah? What did he do that God blessed the kingdom with rest?
Asa practiced what the Lord his God considered to be right by removing the foreign altars and high places, tearing down the sacred pillars, cutting down the Asherim, and commanding Judah to seek the Lord God of their ancestors and to keep the Law and the commandments. He also removed the high places and incense altars from all of the cities of Judah. As a result, the kingdom enjoyed rest under Asa’s leadership. (2 Chr 14:2-5 ISV)
Who did Asa credit with the rest that Judah experienced in the land?
And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the Lord had given him rest. Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the Lord our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour. (2 Chr 14:6-8 KJV)
Did God give Asa victory against a superior army from Ethiopia?
Then Zerah the Ethiopian went out against them with a military force of one million men and 300 chariots, and he came to Mareshah. So Asa went out to meet him, and they arranged themselves for battle in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. Then Asa called to Yahweh his God and said, “Yahweh, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between those of abundant power and those who have no power; so help us, O Yahweh our God, for we lean on You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Yahweh, You are our God; let not mortal man prevail against You.” So Yahweh smote the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled. (2 Chr 14:9-12 LSB)
Did the men of Judah carry away a very large amount of plunder from the Ethiopians?
Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar; and so many Ethiopians fell that they could not recover, for they were shattered before the Lord and before His army. And they carried away a very large amount of plunder. They destroyed all the cities around Gerar, for the dread of the Lord had fallen on them; and they pillaged all the cities, for there was much plunder in them. They also fatally struck those who owned livestock, and they led away large numbers of sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem. (2 Chr 14:13-15 NASB)
If the Christian life is one of victory, through whom is it won?
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV)
Even if we are martyred in this life, what will be our ultimate victory?
So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:54 NKJV)
Do followers of God experience victory? What will be our ultimate victory? You decide!
