The Call to Conquest
note Judges 6-8
Introduction: The story before us begins with Gideon's encounter with God, and it is a picture of our opportunity in this day of crisis and need. The enemy has done and is doing his utmost to bring men and women under his sway, but God calls us to conquest. We are to be the instruments in His Hands for the release and blessing of millions who live in darkness and under the power of Satan. Notice that this call to conquest is a call to:
I. A Life of Valor (Judges 6:12)
What God wanted was not numerical strength, but spiritual strength; not quality of men, but quality of men. So God instituted a twofold test to prove those who would go all the way with Him.
1) There was the Test for Fearlessness (Judges 7:3)
No one who was fearful in heart was allowed to go into battle (Deut. 20:8), for he would only create panic and spread a spirit of defeatism. So today we can only advance in the measure in which we are utterly fearless in doing the will of God. Criticism, opposition and persecution must not deter us. To fear is to falter and fail.
2) There was the Test for Faithfulness (Judges 7:5-6)
This further test of true valor dismissed 9,700 men. It was a test of willingness to trust God and a readiness to serve God with fearlessness and faithfulness.
II. A Life of Vision (Judges 7:13-14)
Despite the formidable army that lay in the valley before him, Gideon was given a vision of human weakness matched by divine greatness.
1) Human Weakness (Judges 7:13)
Barley bread was the poorest of all bread, usually given to animals to eat. It was the symbol of human weakness; and therefore a true picture of Gideon and his handful of men. Gideon learned that he could have no confidence in himself or other men, and with this vision of human weakness he saw the revelation of:
2) Divine Greatness (Judges 7:13)
The insignificant barely loaf in the hand of man became the invincible barely loaf in the hand of God. However weak or poor we may be in ourselves matters not, so long as we have big conceptions of our God.
III. A Life of Venture (Judges 7:15)
Here was a venture of faith:
1) The Faith of Complete Dependence on God (Judges 7:16)
The trumpets and torches had but one purpose, and that was to announce the presence of God. The sound and light of that presence always put the enemy to flight.
3) The Faith of Complete Obedience to God (Judges 7:17)
There can be no venture of faith without obedience. Gideon, who represented the voice of God, had to be obeyed if victory were to be achieved. And thus it is today. Without obedience unto death the triumph of the cross can never be realized. Utter dependence and obedience will determine victory or defeat.
IV. A Life of Victory (Judges 7:22)
Blowing the trumpet, breaking the pitcher, and standing in place each have their own interpretation in the life of victory. To triumph over the world, the flesh and the devil there must be:
1) The Proclamation of the Word (Judges 7:20)
The blowing of the trumpets symbolized the proclamation of the Word of God, without which there is no hope for victory in personal combat or public confrontation. It must be certain, clear, real, and sincere.
2) The Application of the Cross of Christ (Judges 7:20)
If the victory and glory of the Indwelling Christ are to blaze forth from our lives then there must be the daily application of the cross of Christ. Self-pride, self-conceit and self-esteem hide the Savior's presence and power. Only a crucified life can reveal a crucified Lord; it is the only answer to the world, the flesh and the devil.
3) The Demonstration of the Stand of Faith (Judges 7:21)
In a day of shifting opinions and spineless convictions, how we need an army of Christian soldiers who will demonstrate their stand of faith.
Conclusion: We have seen that God's call to conquest demands a valor, a vision, a venture, and a victory which are centered in the Lord. The question is whether or not Jesus is supreme in each one of our lives. Yield to Him today and then count on Him to be in you and through you in all that He has promised. Only thus shall we honorably respond to God's call to conquest.