By Joe Chesser
I love the song Faith Is the
Victory! We like to talk about faith. We love to sing songs and hear sermons
about faith. We dream of having a faith that is so strong and vibrant that it
will never fail, a faith that will conquer every obstacle. Faith is a popular
topic among Christians.
But why do we need such a
faith? For victory, of course! Faith Is the Victory! But victory over what?
Well, I'm afraid that’s what we don’t enjoy thinking about. As A.W. Tozer
wrote, “We must keep in mind that before we can have a victory, we must have a
battle” (A Cloud by Day, a Fire by Night, page 114).
We don’t like battles. Why
would we? Battles are dangerous. Battles are costly. Battles cause pain and
suffering. Battles are not fun. Battles prevent us from enjoying the good life.
However, as much as we
dislike battles, they are actually one of God’s plans for our progress. When
battles are overcome by faith in God’s power, they make us stronger and help us
move forward. Battles open our eyes to see the deliverance of God. They help us
recognize how much we depend upon God and not ourselves to be victorious in
this life. Before we can have a victory we must have a battle.
Israel enjoyed God’s
deliverance from Egyptian bondage. It was an exciting day when they marched
away from slavery under Pharoah. They also enjoyed the thought of going to the
Promised Land. What they didn’t enjoy were the numerous battles they would have
to fight along the way as they journeyed from Egypt to Canaan. They didn’t get
it that the battles they encountered were designed to increase their faith in
the God of victory. They (and we) needed to learn to trust God to lead them to
victory, and to learn that God’s victory had to be accomplished according to
His unique plans and in His time. Like us, they all too often wanted to either
fight their battles with their own strength and cunning, or try to avoid the
battles all together.
For example, when the
Israelites arrived in the wilderness of Paran they sent in 12 men to spy out
the land God had promised them (Numbers 12.16-13.24). They came back with
glowing reports. It was a land flowing with milk and honey (13.27). However,
the people were strong, the cities fortified, and there were giants in the
land. 10 of the spies reported that it was a land that devours its enemies
(13.32) and we are like grasshoppers (13.33). Not a word of faith in God. Not a
word of seeking God’s help or wisdom. In fact, not a word about God at all
except questions why God led them into such a disastrous situation (14.1-4). To
the majority of people it was an unwinnable battle. They would rather go back
to slavery in Egypt than do battle with the people of Canaan! There was no
victory for that generation of Israelites because they refused to follow God
into battle. Instead of being forward looking people of faith, they retreated
back into the wilderness.
I fear that Israel’s example
describes many of us today. God’s vast promises of deep spiritual riches are
within our reach. They are within sight. But they won’t be ours without a
fight. Unlike Israel, our battle is not flesh and blood. No, we must do battle
with the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6.12).
Sadly, our culture has yielded to their evil influences. And Satan has
convinced many Christians, especially our young people, to identify with this
evil culture. The good news is that with faith in God (and not ourselves)
victory is assured. But we must be willing to fight the good fight (2 Timothy
4.7).
Remember,
there is no victory without a battle. Faith Is the Victory!
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