The Victory Has Already Been Won!
It may sound like a spoiler alert, but the words “The victory has already been won,” can also provide the encouragement we so desperately need in a crisis, trial or season of doubt.
Barak was a military general that was charged with leading Israel’s army against Jabin the king of Cannan, who had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years and enforced his reign with nine hundred chariots fitted with iron.
Deborah had received a word from the Lord for Barak and told him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you; ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.'”
Imagine receiving such a clear and direct message of victory from the Lord. What would you do? What did Barak do?
Barak replied to Deborah, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” “Certainly I will go with you, but because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.”
On the day of the battle Deborah again encouraged Barak saying, “Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” Afterwhich Barack advanced his army and the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword.
Barak had victory from the moment that the Lord gave the message to Deborah. All he needed to do was believe in that word and obey. His doubts didn’t change the Lord’s will, the enemy was defeated. His doubts prevented him from experiencing the honor that God had planned for him.
How many times do we allow doubt to get in the way of God’s truth? How many times do we doubt that we are enough? How many times do we doubt that we are loved?
Those doubts come when we focus on the enemy before us instead of the Lord who surrounds us and who is in us. It’s in those moments that we need to remember His Truth.
- We belong to Him.
- We are more than enough.
- We are unconditionally loved by the God of the universe who believed we were worth dying for.
- He goes before us, behind us and beside us
- The victory has already be won by The Lord.
Like Barak, we also have a word from the Lord, the Bible. It is filled with commandments, teachings, encouragements and promises. You get to decide what you will do with His messages for you. Whenever life feels overwhelming remember; the Victory has already been won!
Be Intentional about believing that the Lord has already won the battle.
Praises & Prayers
Lord I thank you for Your words of truth. Like Barak there have been many times that I have doubted and felt insecure. I pray that I will remember that You have already gone before me and prepared the way and all I need to do is trust and obey. Thank you for encouragers along the way that help us when we struggle. You are a Good Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Messages from His Word
Joshua 1:8-9
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”