We Will Be Victorious

We will be Victorious

Judges 7

Introduction:

We have sowed - We have watered – we will reap a Harvest!

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Unique situation – We are in a struggle that the outcome has already been decided – the side we are on has already won – Satan refuses to concede but He has already lost

Chess game – 4 moves out – no matter what you do I’ve won – The game is over (if you do this – I’ll do this)

 Winning player still has to counter & because Satan has not conceded we counter his attacks

 We are countering the moves of the Enemy – winning victory after victory for the Lord

Look at the Story of Gideon in Judges 7

2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Judges 6:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.

Judge 6:7 When the Israelites cried to the LORD because of Midian,

Judges 6:12 the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."

Judges 6:15-16 "But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."

Judges 6:17 Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.

God says – Gideon – you are the leader – form an army and Deliver Israel from the Midianites

Not everyone is Going to Fight in the Battle

Judges 7:1-2 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her

32,000 men showed up – 22,000 were afraid – 10,000 left

Those who are afraid will not go into battle – It was not God who rejected them – They did not have the Confidence in God that they needed to have

What was at home for them?

 More hiding in caves – more being bullied around by the enemy

 Why do God’s people – ALLOW Satan to push us around?

 It isn’t pleasant but to some degree we have to realize that many of the Bad situations we are in are because of our disobedience to God – Israel sinned – they were oppressed

 We sin and give the Enemy a toe hole into our life – let him in then don’t kick him out!

 Why did God send them home – If they were “able to win” they still would not have FAITH

Still too many – some wanted to go into Battle – BUT they were not prepared for the Battle

 They let down their Guard –

 Put down the weapons

 Had a casual maybe even carnal mentality – I’m thirsty & that comes first

 Maybe they had faith in God – but they would not have made good soldiers

 Don’t be like that – coasting along – not aware

 Putting the flesh before the Purpose God has called you to

10,000 – now down to 300 – Didn’t ask them if they were afraid –

 In the natural the odds are not in our favor

 Now there is a TOTAL dependency on God

 Those who are left have FAITH and they are Prepared

Sometimes we need some Encouragement

Judges 7:9-11 During that night the LORD said to Gideon, "Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp."

Gideon – knew what God had called him to do – went from 32,000 to 300

When God calls us to do something impossible He will encourage us

 Knowing that we are just Human

 Knowing that we are prone to Fear – Prone to fight our flesh