Victory From God Is Always On Time
The Philistines returned Ark of the Covenant because of fear, but they still oppressed the Israelites. Would God rescue them from their enemy and give them victory?
Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, … Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:3
The Israelites mourned because it seemed like the Lord had abandoned them. Samuel, however, told the people to get rid of their foreign gods and their images of Ashtoreth.
Throughout their history, the Israelites often got caught up in distancing themselves from God. We tend to do that as well, only we use different methods, but end up with the same result.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and never robs us of a victory. Neither does He move away from us. Therefore, the people trusted the man of God and did as he instructed them.
So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the Lord. 1 Samuel 7:4
Then Samuel told all of Israel to gather in Mizpah so he could pray for them. I’m not sure how many people were included, but they accomplished three things while there.
First, they assembled themselves together. The one thing they all had in common was they were children of Abraham and God’s chosen people. Therefore, meeting together has its benefits.
The Israelites Assembled Together
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25
Second, once they got together, they began to worship the Lord. What they did seemed to symbolize a pouring out of their hearts in repentance and need.
So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the Lord. 1 Samuel 7:6
In the New Testament, we must also repent as we worship the Lord. Our victory in God, though, doesn’t come by a ceremony. Jesus told us that we must worship God in Spirit and in truth.
The time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24
The Israelites did one more important thing after they assembled together. Along with repenting, they confessed their sins and fasted.
They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord. (It was at Mizpah that Samuel became Israel’s judge.) 1 Samuel 7:6
The New Testament shines the light on fasting by giving us examples. When Jesus spoke about it, He didn’t say if, but when you fast.
But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:17-18
The Enemy Always Tries to Interfere
The Philistines heard that Israel had gathered at Mizpah. They decided to get their army together and attack their unsuspecting foe. The Israelites found out about it, which caused great fear.
The Israelites were badly frightened when they learned that the Philistines were approaching. 1 Samuel 7:7
They begged Samuel to keep pleading with the Lord to save them from the Philistines. Their only hope rested on God giving them victory. Samuel preceded by making an offering to the Lord.
So Samuel took a young lamb and offered it to the Lord as a whole burnt offering. He pleaded with the Lord to help Israel, and the Lord answered him. 1 Samuel 7:9
The Philistines arrived to attack Israel just as Samuel offered the sacrifice. The Philistines knew they held the victory in their hands, no matter how much the Israelites worshiped their God.
I guess they didn’t know that the God of the Israelites was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He created the world, and none of the gods they had could stand up to Him.
But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. 1 Samuel 7:10
The Israelites had nowhere to run, so they stood there. But God showed up right on time to give them the victory. God also promises us victory. Therefore, we must stand still and let Him do it.
Wait On God for the Victory
Sometimes, God will give us directions on how to attain the victory. The Israelites didn’t take any action until after God moved. Many scripture verses tell us to stand still and wait for the Lord.
- Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. Psalm 46:10
- But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. Exodus 14:13
- So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:7-8
What mistake do you think most well-meaning Christians make? Instead of waiting on the Lord, we try to do things on our own. We will experience victory each time we let God handle things.
Help us, God, to trust you so there’s no delay in getting the victory you had planned for us. Renew our strength, Lord, as we learn to patiently wait on you.
Check out these related posts on the Victory of God.
- How To Experience Victory, Healing And Life
- God Has Given Us The Victory
- Victory Comes From The Lord
To receive each new devotional post delivered to your inbox, subscribe below by giving us your first name and email address.
