What does "the LORD brought about a great victory" teach about God's power? The Verse in Focus “but Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field and defended it. He struck down the Philistines, and the LORD brought about a great victory.” (2 Samuel 23:12) Snapshot of the Moment • Israel faced relentless Philistine pressure. • One man—Shammah—refused to retreat from a lentil field. • Against overwhelming odds, the Philistine advance was halted. • Scripture credits the outcome, not to Shammah’s prowess alone, but to the LORD’s direct intervention. What “the LORD brought about a great victory” Reveals About His Power • God’s power is decisive: When He acts, the battle’s outcome is settled. • His power operates through human faithfulness yet surpasses human ability. • The phrase underscores that deliverance belongs to the LORD, not to military might or numbers. • God’s power turns an ordinary setting—a humble field—into holy ground where His glory is displayed. Power Expressed Through Ordinary People • Shammah was one soldier among many, yet God used him as His instrument. • Similar pattern with David versus Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45-47: “the battle belongs to the LORD”). • The focus shifts from human résumé to divine sovereignty: availability matters more than credentials. Power That Transforms Impossible Situations • Surrounded and outnumbered became secure and victorious. • God often waits until circumstances appear hopeless to highlight His supremacy (Judges 7:2-7; 2 Chronicles 14:11). • Impossible odds amplify His glory—no one can reasonably attribute the win to chance. Power That Ensures His Glory • The text plainly states who owns the victory: “the LORD brought about.” • Self-congratulation is disarmed; worship is the only logical response (Psalm 44:3). • God’s power acts in ways that center attention on Him, preserving His name and reputation among His people. Power Consistent Across Scripture • 1 Samuel 14:23: “So the LORD saved Israel that day”. • 1 Chronicles 11:14: identical wording during another stand in a field. • Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.” These echoes affirm that what God did for Shammah is part of a larger, unbroken testimony to His sovereign strength. Living in Light of That Power Today • Hold your ground where God has placed you, even when culture or circumstances press in. • Expect God to work through obedience rather than relying on personal force or charisma. • Measure challenges by God’s capacity, not by visible resources. • Give God the credit—before, during, and after the breakthrough—so that others see Him, not us. In every age, “the LORD brought about a great victory” invites believers to trust that the same omnipotent God still moves, still defends, and still wins battles for those who stand firm in faith. |
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