After God established the size of Gideon’s army, God came to Gideon during the night and said, “Get up and go . . . I have given you the victory! BUT if you are afraid to attack . . . go hear what the Midianites are saying and you will be encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.”
Gideon chose the second option, to go see the enemy, after which Gideon had a choice to make . . . will he believe what he saw or will he believe what God said to him?
To help the decision making process, God allowed Gideon to hear a man telling his friend about a dream and to hear the response of the friend . . . “Your dream can mean only one thing – God has given Gideon victory over ALL the armies united with Midian!” Has given, not going to give!
Even though God had given Gideon the victory, there was still a battle!!! Sometimes the battle part is conveniently forgotten? We just want to exchange our need for the answer! Like exchanging American money for Kenyan currency . . . we just went to the Forex, handed them our American money, they gave us Kenyan currency, and then went on our merry way.
The enemy knows he is defeated but will not give up territory without a fight. The enemy does not care if we do nothing in the battle . . . he simply does not want us to do battle! He does not want us to walk in our authority on this earth!
“God desires for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” Will this just automatically happen because this is God’s desire? No! We must do spiritual battle for the lost and the backslider.
“Bring all the tithe . . . If you do, I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!” Don’t know about you, but I still have PLENTY of room to take in blessing! I have to do spiritual battle!
God is Jehovah Jireh . . . the God who HAS seen ahead and MADE provision. Automatically receive provision? No, we do our part in the natural, as well as do spiritual battle.
Ephesians 6:13 says, “Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm!” (NLT)
Did you see that? If we use every piece of God’s armor, we will still be standing firm when the dust settles! Now there’s a promise to stand on!
Just preached to myself, and I am encouraged!
2 comments:
Wow - great post, Arlene. Sounds like the Lord is really speaking to you! Those times are usually not the easiest but yet you feel like you are growing in your spirit. I love your insight about going thru the battle. We always want to skip that part. But the victory part is so great!!!
Spiritual battle . . . having done all to stand, stand . . . and stand and stand and stand! Yes, you are so right . . . there is growth in our faith. Many times, we stop standing just before the answer comes.
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