HOLD THE FORT – VICTORY IS SURE

“By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand…” – Judges 7:7a

God wants His children to HOLD THE FORT for VICTORY IS SURE: “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand…” (Jud.7:7a). God always has a Victory Plan. And His Plan is always for our overwhelming blessings and for His Glory. We establish this from the account of Gideon’s Victory over the Midianites. Israel was vastly outnumbered against an enemy with superior resources. The Lord then further reduced the size of Gideon’s army from 23,000 to 300 (vv.2-7). Yet, He fulfilled His promise of Victory, as long as they followed Divine Direction!

Here are few lessons from Gideon’s Victory that are applicable to our lives.

God is not dependent on individual strength or abilities: “And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me’” (v.2). Our Victory is for His Glory; not for our self-glorying.

God is pleased with people of Faith and Commitment; not fear and timidity. The test of faith weeded out twenty-two thousand soldiers (v.3; Deut.20:1-4, 8). The test of commitment further reduced the army to three-hundred men (vv.7-8).

Obedience to divine instructions produces Victory. Gideon’s few men were unified, and acted as a team under his leadership. Inspired by God, he gave them a plan that carefully ordered every activity; a clear plan of attack, with a specific timetable, propelled by a Vision of Victory: “Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. And he said to them, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do” (vv.16-17).

Unity in Diversity enhances Victory. Each soldier had a definite assignment to accomplish. No one followed an independent strategy. Every man completed his assignment and followed the directions carefully: “And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled” (Jud.7:22). The result was overwhelming victory at a time when defeat seemed inevitable.

God has given you specific assignments He assigned to no one else. As a soldier in His Army, you must abide in the centre of His Will, fulfilling your Vision, at the right time, and in the right way. To taste the sweetness of Victory, you must know your personal assignment, recognise your calling, and abide therein. If you are uncertain, ask God to make clear His plan for you. He’ll do so, because He wants you to be victorious in every area of life. Do not be distracted by the world, the flesh, the devil or your strength or weakness. Trust in the Lord, and obey His Word. Allow His Spirit to clarify His assignments for you and empower you. Hold the fort of faith, stand in obedience and trust God by His Word, His Blood, and His Spirit, to usher you into Unstoppable Victory!

Beloved, let’s forge ahead into a new month, with renewed Faith and Victory, chanting this Song of Triumph:

Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky! Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

Refrain: “Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still; wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”

See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on; Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!

See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow! In our Leader’s Name we triumph over every foe.

Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near; Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!

In the midst of the world’s trying times and your personal spiritual battles, you might have felt besieged on every side – but HOLD THE FORT! Renew your strength in the Lord for the Victory is already won – you just need to continue to Occupy for He is coming!