Will God Give Us Victory?
David said, "The battle is the Lord's" (1 Sam. 17:47). Paul said, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31). In view of these and other inspired messages of confidence, won't God always bless his own people?
The Answer: "No"
1. He will not bless us if there is sin in our camp. Joshua was God's own chosen leader of God's own chosen people. Achan was one of those people--just one among many. But because of Achan's sin, the whole battle was lost. God did not give victory to his own people, fighting for his own cause (see Josh. 7). So, today, if we are not winning spiritual battles, perhaps there is sin in our camp. God can not give victory to those whose lives are filled with lying, stealing, profanity, adultery, etc.
2. He will not bless us if we "pitch our tent toward Sodom" (Gen. 13:12). Lot chose the fine pastureland of the Jordon valley, but his desire for fat cattle and sheep caused the loss of everything (Gen. 19:24 30). And today if we set our hearts on worldly gains God cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23) in a heart filled with greed, vanity and covetousness.
3. He will not bless us if we live in disobedience. Saul was religious. He would not go to battle until a sacrifice had been made to God (1 Sam.13:12). So he said, "I forced myself". He offered the sacrifice even though he knew he was not authorized to do that work. His disobedience cost him his kingdom. We too may be religious, and we may do great and mighty works (Mt. 7:21-23). But "to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Sam.15:22). We must not become so involved and enthused about religious projects, programs and promotions that we forget to obey God. We may indeed be "on the march" without orders from our King!
4. He will not bless us if we make unholy alliance as Balsam did (Num.24:1-9); if we follow our own self-will as Cain did (Gen. 4:3-5); if we reject God's own arrangements for us as Korah did (Num. 16:3) (See Jude 11)
5. He will not bless us if we have little faith and follow afar off as Peter did (Mt.14:31; Mt. 26:58).
Another Answer: "Yes"
1. He will give us victory if we fight the good fight as Paul did, and as Elijah did against the people of Baal (1 Kings 18:19-46.).
2. He will give us victory if we trust him and follow his own way even as Gideon did (Judges 7:1924).
3. He will give us victory in spiritual pursuits if we will (1) Seek first his kingdom (Mt. 6:33); (2) Set our affections on things above (Col.3:1); (3) Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17); (4) Labor together with him (1 Cor.3:9); (5) Walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7); (6) Keep ourselves pure (1 Tim. 5: 22) and (7) Overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).
"The battle is the Lord's!" He is still able to deliver the enemy into our hands just as he did in David's day. Who will volunteer? Who will put on the whole armor, take the sworn of the Spirit, and go fight? The victory will be eternal life-- for the volunteer and for others whom he enlists in the service.
The enemy is everywhere, even next-door to you! And God has no hands but yours, no lips but yours, to do the work and speak the Word that will bring victory.
You are not David. You don't have to fight a giant. You are not Paul. You don't have to be beaten, stoned and shipwrecked. But you are a Christian! If you can't win a battle as David did, you can win a soul! If you are not permitted to die for Christ as Paul did, you can live for him, which is your spiritual service (Rom.12:1. Then God will give the victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 15:57).