5 STRATEGIES FOR VICTORY
By : Ng Wah Lok
Text : Judges 3:12-30
Background.
1. Because of their sins, Israel were under the rule of ungodly nations around them.
Judg 3:12
12And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
Israel was defeated by evil foreign nations such as the Moabites, Ammonites and Amalekites (v13)
2. They were under bondage for 18 long years, almost half a generation (v14)
Judg 3:14
14So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.
3. They had to give the King of Moab tributes to appease him. (v15)
Is the midst of this bondage, God raised up a judge name Ehud as the deliver who will set Israel free from their bondage.
Let us look at his 5 strategies for victory.
1. ASK GOD FOR HELP– V15
Judg 3:15
15But when the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
Perhaps one of the reasons why some people never have victory in their lives is because they never asked God for help.
Prayer is one of the most important keys to victory. But most people neglect it. Some people pray only when they are in trouble. That is why they are in trouble.
If we do not ask God for help, God usually brings us to a position when we will need help. God wants us to pray and depend on him.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW SUCCESSFUL A CHURCH IS, VISIT THEIR PRAYER MEETINGS
2. USE YOUR _STRENGTHS -v15, 21,
Judg 3:21
21Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.
It is interesting that the Bible mentions specifically that Ehud was left handed and used his left hand to slay his enemy. Ehud used his stronger arm to ensure his victory.
What are your strengths ? Are you maximizing your strengths for the Gospel ? Use your strengths to touch lives.
Examples of some of our possible strengths.
Friendly person
Compassionate personality
Smart person
Handicraft.
Good with money ?
When Moses felt he was not able to lead Israel out of Egypt. Finally it was the simple rod in his hands that gave Moses victory over Pharoah.
Ex 4:2 So the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" And he said, "A rod."
THE ROD IN MOSES’ HANDS OPENED THE RED SEA
3. PLAN YOUR STRATEGY (V16-22)
If we fail to plan, we are planning to fail.
Ehud had a plan how to kill king Eglon. He had thought over the plan over and over again.
a) He had a concealed weapon. – v16
b) He deceived the king to send all the servants away – v19
c) He got king Eglon close to him by telling him he had a secret message from God – v20
Many people drift though life without a plan. They rarely achieve anything significant in life. If you want to be successful in life, you must have a long term plan how to get there.
The same is applicable if you want to save souls and touch lives. Plan them into your schedule. Leg work is absolutely important for victory.
PRAY AS IF EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON GOD.
PLAN AS IF EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON YOU.
4. DO YOU HAVE AN ESCAPE PLAN ? V23-26
Judg 3:23
23Then Ehud went out through the porch and shut the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them.
Judg 3:26
26But Ehud escaped while they delayed, and passed beyond the stone images and escaped to Seirah.
It is not enough just to know how to get in. It is equally important to know how to get out. Ehud planned his escape well. By the time they realized the king was dead, Ehud was already beyond their reach.
Do you have alternative solutions in life ? Do you cast your nets wide ? Or are you a one track mind with no other solutions in sight ?
Example: Business investments.
Everybody knows what is a good business. But few know the timing when to get in and when to get out.
Most people know how to invest in the stock markets but don’t know the timing to get out.
The pessimist only sees the hole in the doughnut.
5. SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY - V27-30
Nothing has really changed in Moab except that their king had died. Their army was still strong. They were all stout men of valor (v29). But Ehud sensed the victory and blew the trumpet. They slew 10,000 strong men of Moab that day.
Ehud saw an opening and went for it. Many of us lose opportunities to succeed because we do not seize the opportunity when we see it.
REMEMBER THAT TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE. YESTERDAY IS HISTORY. TOMORROW IS MYSTERY. TODAY IS A GIFT. THAT’S WHY IT’S CALLED THE PRESENT.
Conclusion.
Moab was subdued that day. The land had 80 years of peace because of this incident. It was possible because one man was brave enough to believe God for victory.
