Title:- Before The Bout Begins: Receive & Believe!
Joshua 5:1 So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel.
You’ve probably heard the sayings, “He's as much use as an ash try on a motorbike!’ Or maybe "He’s as much use as a chocolate tea pot!" Both of which most picturesquely portray failure, ineptitude and uselessness.
God is a warrior and part of a warrior’s tactics is to intimidate his foe. If the battle can be won before you take to the field, then all the better. After all, overcoming is often a matter of the heart, that is, what you thoroughly believe concerning the definiteness of the outcome. If you can translate this heart belief into spiritual and psychological intimidation and so minimise, crush and wither the heart of an opponent before the battle, then the dispatching of the enemy from the field is far simpler than if their hearts were stout and ready. This is a valuable and Biblically well-used tactic, for mark this well today, determined, defiant and fleshly confident hearts, are still the most formidable fortresses for any warrior of God to go up against.
As a former boxing coach I can tell you that I have seen ‘the defeated’ before they ever stepped through the ropes. A glimpse of their muscular, intimidating opponent, his prowess and tales of his ferocity, had taken the fight out of them before the bout ever began, even when the tales that were told were lies! You see victory is first and foremost a matter of the heart.
For example, our Warrior God on one occasion when preparing a person for a fight, began by implanting a troubling dream in the heart of a then unknown enemy soldier, who then began to become so quielty concerned, that he voiced his trouble abroad in the quiet, dark, Midianite encampement. The recounting of this dream by a disturbed enemy soldier to one of his nervous mates was then overheard by the watching Gideon as he squirmed in his troubled and trembling wait. Listen and observe, look and feel what happened in the chest of Gideon, when this tale came to his listening ears: “And when Gideon had come, there was a man telling a dream to his companion. He said, “I have had a dream: To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed.” Then his companion answered and said, “This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Josh, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp.” Can you see what was happening in Gideon’s heart? You see, when the faint-hearted and hidden Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, his own most pitiful and quivering heart, then became powerfully pumped and so, in strong expectation, he then began to worship God in wonder, awe, and hopeful expectancy.
Firstly, the enemy's heart was made fearful and expectant of defeat and
Second, the heart of Gideon was made strong and expectant of victory!
May I say, it was at this intersection of Gideon’s ‘Receiving and Believing’ that the battle was won. Friends, at this point even before a pot was shattered, the battle was all over bar the shouting! Gideon returned to the camp of Israel and proclaimed to his companions, “Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.”See it friends? Whilst making great the heart of Gideon, our warrior God deflates the heart of the Midianites. Cripple the heart, cripple the man. Turn the heart, turn the battle. This method is replicated throughout Scripture and may I add, is seen on both sides of conflict! (see 1 Samuel 4:5-11).
Warriors, may I ask you today concerning the state of your heart, the level of your hope in God, the depth and the firmness of your confidence in our Almighty Commander. If your heart is not right friend, don’t even step through the ropes. Get your heart full of expectant victory today and I tell you, some giants are going down! Some strongholds will be shattered and pulled to pieces, providing your hearts are full of faith, full of confidence and can see the victory from afar. Receive and Believe! Get to that intersection today, Receive and Believe Today!
Listen:- Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
Pray:- Lord, who can stand before You? Who can resist You? You are great O Lord, You are the promised ‘Head Crusher.’ So Lord place your feet and mine, on the necks of all our enemies, deflate and defeat them today O my mighty Jesus and so fill my heart with faith, amen.
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