As Nation rises against nation, kingdom against kingdom, and the ultimate battle between good and evil intensifies, there is an urgency to put on the whole armor of God and joint the battle action of ” … praying always … ” (Ephesians 6:11-18).
Attacks of the enemy may be fierce with fiery darts and the warriors may grow weary in the good fight of faith, but great victories are coming for those who follow Him who wears the Victor’s Crown! The King of kings and Lord of lords leads a victorious army (Revelation 19:11-16)!
God’s parade of heroes did not stop with the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Abraham, Sara, Rahab, and Gideon will be joined by some of us who will, through faith, subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises, quench violence, escape destruction, become strong, fight valiantly, and turn to fight the armies of the enemy (Hebrews 11).
One of the great heroes of biblical battles was General Gideon (Judges 6 and 7). The victory God gave to him is one of the most astounding feats of war ever recorded. He came from hiding, full of fear and questions, but he became a warrior full of faith with authority. Read his story in Judges 6 and believe the following:
1.) There is power in one person committed to God’s cause. “Go … thou shalt save Israel … have not I sent thee … thou shalt smite as one man … ”
2.) Angels become in involved in human lives. “the angel of the Lord appeared to him … ”
3.) God has confidence in us in spite of our lack of confidence. “I am the least in my Father’s house … The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor … ”
4.) God is patient in our preparation and mobilization. ” … shew me a sign … that thou talkest with me … (and the angel said) I will tarry until thou come again … ”
5.) Miraculous confirmation can follow commitment. ” … there arose up fire out of the rock and consumed the flesh … ”
6.) Commitment is expressed in action. ” … Gideon built an altar … ”
The Lord instructed Gideon to throw down the altar of Baal in his family and to build an altar to the Lord where it stood. It is interesting to observe that Gideon built the altar where he pulled down the stronghold.
Gideon enlisted corporate effort. In fear, but by faith he took ten others with him. If two of you agree … one shall chase a thousand; two shall chase ten thousand. Small prayer groups agreeing together are a mighty force for personal victories that are multiplied into spreading, far-reaching effect.
And remember, God is faithful! The Lord had said Gideon would smite as one man and verse 31 confirms that ” … one hath cast down his (Baal’s) altar.”
Remember when Gideon’s army, though separated into smaller groups, surrounded their common enemy, and acted with the force of unity, and a great victory occurred all around the enemy’s camp.
“And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran …( Judges 7:21) … “for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (II Chronicles 20:15).
Thetus Tenney
The Pentecostals of Alexandria
FROM: Prayer Connect Newsletter – World Network of Prayer – wnopadmins@upci.org