What other biblical examples show reliance on God for victory in battles? Relying on God for Victory: Setting the Stage with 2 Chronicles 25:11 “Then Amaziah strengthened himself, and leading his people, he went to the Valley of Salt and struck down ten thousand men of Seir.” Amaziah’s success flowed from “strengthened himself” literally meaning he “hardened” or “made firm” his resolve in the Lord. Scripture consistently shows that when God’s people lean on Him rather than their own might, stunning victories follow. Snapshots of God-Granted Victories • Exodus 14 – Israel at the Red Sea – “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (v. 14) – One moment Israel is trapped; the next, the sea parts and swallows the enemy. – Dependence lesson: Stand still, let God move first. • Exodus 17 – Moses vs. Amalek – “Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed.” (v. 11) – Victory hinged on raised hands, not raised swords. – Dependence lesson: Intercession equals victory. • Joshua 6 – Jericho’s walls tumble – “Shout, for the LORD has given you the city!” (v. 16) – Trumpets and marching replace battering rams. – Dependence lesson: Obedience to unusual instructions reveals faith. • Judges 7 – Gideon’s 300 – “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you.’” (v. 7) – God shrinks the army to spotlight His power. – Dependence lesson: Smaller resources, bigger trust. • 1 Samuel 14 – Jonathan and his armor-bearer – “Nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.” (v. 6) – Two men scale a cliff, rout a garrison; panic sent by God finishes the job (v. 15). – Dependence lesson: Courage rises when confidence is in God, not numbers. • 1 Samuel 17 – David vs. Goliath – “The battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” (v. 47) – A shepherd with a sling topples a giant warrior. – Dependence lesson: Rely on covenant promises, not armor. • 2 Chronicles 14 – Asa vs. Zerah the Cushite – “LORD, there is none besides You to help the mighty and the weak.” (v. 11) – God strikes down a million-man force; Judah gathers abundant spoil (v. 12-15). – Dependence lesson: Pray first, pursue after. • 2 Chronicles 20 – Jehoshaphat faces Moab and Ammon – “You need not fight this battle; station yourselves… see the salvation of the LORD.” (v. 17) – Levites lead with praise; enemies self-destruct (v. 22-24). – Dependence lesson: Worship is a weapon. • 2 Kings 19 (2 Chronicles 32) – Hezekiah vs. Assyria – “For I will defend this city to save it.” (2 Kings 19:34) – One angel strikes 185,000 soldiers overnight (v. 35). – Dependence lesson: God’s defense can be invisible yet decisive. Threads That Tie the Stories Together • God delights in impossible odds so that His glory shines (Judges 7:2; 1 Corinthians 1:27-29). • Prayer and praise consistently precede triumph (Exodus 17:11-12; 2 Chronicles 20:21-22). • Obedience, even when instructions seem counterintuitive, unlocks divine intervention (Joshua 6; 2 Kings 5:14 principle). • Victory ultimately belongs to the Lord, not weaponry or manpower (Psalm 20:7; Proverbs 21:31). Living the Principle Today While our battles may be spiritual or circumstantial rather than military, the pattern remains: seek the Lord, trust His word, obey promptly, and watch Him secure the win. As Paul reminds, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10) |
    |