Victory
From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God - Romans 6:12 – 6:18 (commentary)
In the remaining verses in this chapter sin is set before us in two graphic illustrations: It is likened to an old king who is now defeated (vv. 12-14) and it is likened unto an old king who is now deposed (vv. 15-23). Three words in this chapter summarize the secret of making the principles of ...
The Israelites Crossed The Red Sea And The Egyptians Drown - Exodus 14:15 – 14:31 (commentary)
The Lord asked Moses why he was crying out to Him for help (v. 15). He then told him to command the Israelites to move forward by raising his staff over the sea and the water would divide and the floor of the sea would be dry ground (v. 16). The Egyptians will be so stubborn, bec …
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A shout that shattered the walls - Joshua 6:15 – 6:27 (commentary)
Joshua followed God’s instructions (vv. 2-5). On the seventh day their day began early about the dawning of the day (vv. 15-16). They marched around the city just as they had the previous six days. However, this time instead of going back to their camp, they went on marching six more ...
The Historic Faith of The Nation - Psalms 44:1 – 44:8 (commentary)
This Psalm can be divided into three parts: A description of former deliverances and victories (vv. 1-8). A sharing of present trouble and defeat (vv. 9-16). A mixture of praise and pleas (vv. 17-26). It may have been written right after a military loss or in connection with the Baby …
From The Wilderness to Zion - Psalms 68:11 – 68:14 (commentary)
Two things distinguished Israel’s history from that of all other nations.Divine presence - (vv. 7, 8) - Picture Israel marching out of Egypt wrapped in a Shekinah cloud. When, in all of history, has this world ever seen anything like this?Divine providence - (vv. 9, 10) - For man …
With God’s Help we Can Do More Than we Think - Psalms 108:1 – 108:13 (commentary)
This passage is a reminder of how we can have victory in God’s strength. As you read this psalm you may say, “I’ve read all of this before.” The first five verses are taken right out of Psalm 57:7-11, and the last eight verses are taken right out of the last half of Psalm 60. The Holy Spirit takes ...
From Mount Hor to Moab. - Numbers 21:10 – 21:35 (commentary)
Israel next met resistance from the king of Arad, but soundly defeated him. The next stop was Mount Hor where Aaron died. Then they traveled south and east around Oboth. As the Israelites marched toward the promised land, “What shall we eat?” and “What shall we dri …
The Champions of Faith - Hebrews 11:17 – 11:29 (commentary)
Everyone is saved by simple faith but the victory of faith may only come through sacrifice. This was true of many of these Old Testament saints who the writer gives us as examples of faith. Abraham’s victory of faith cost him the sacrifice of Isaac, whom God demanded but …
Partial Success in Southern Canaan - Judges 1:1 – 1:20 (commentary)
After Joshua’s death Israel presses forward to exterminate the Canaanites who are still holding on to their strongholds in the land. The tribes of Judah and Simeon merged their forces to carry out a series of attacks on the Canaanites in the hill country south of Jerusalem (vv. 1-5). They captured ...
Survivors Safe and Idols Destroyed - Micah 5:7 – 5:15 (commentary)
A few of Jacob’s descendants survived and are scattered among the nations (v. 7). But the Lord will let them cover the earth like dew and rain that refreshes the soil. At present they are scattered, but later they will attack, the Gentiles who resist Messiah’s universal reign, as …
The Triumph of Christ - II Corinthians 2:12 – 2:17 (commentary)
It appeared that Paul’s plans had completely fallen apart. He had sent Titus to Corinth to find out their spiritual condition and had arranged to meet him in Troas for a firsthand report. When Titus failed to show up, Paul became very concerned. For all Paul knew, Titus might have been carrying ...
Jonathan Defeats The Philistines - I Samuel 14:1 – 14:15 (commentary)
For a time Saul failed to take any action against the Philistines (vv. 1-3). Jonathan decided to initiate the battle by attacking an outpost guarding the pass between Michmash and Geba. It does not tell us what motivated him to do this but perhaps it was because he had become wea …
Humility Cures Worldliness - James 4:6 – 4:10 (commentary)
It is easy to find ourselves telling God what we want Him to do and then get angry at Him if He doesn’t do it. James now gives seven steps for victory in this warfare. Submit to God (v. 7)Resist the devil (v. 7)Draw near to God (v. 8)Clean your hands (actions v. 8)P …
Gog’s Armies Destroyed - Ezekiel 39:1 – 39:16 (commentary)
This chapter contains a prediction of the utter destruction of Gog and Magog (vv. 1-7). An illustration of the vastness of that destruction (vv. 8-22). God’s mercy to his people (vv. 23-29).The defeat of the evil forces will be final and complete, they will be destroyed b …
King Og Defeated - Deuteronomy 3:1 – 3:11 (commentary)
From all appearances Israel hardly stood a chance of defeating them but we must remember that no matter how insurmountable the obstacles may seem God is sovereign and will take care of any enemy he chooses (vv. 1-11). Continuing the rehearsal of Israel’s experience in the wilderness, ...
A Warning Against Self Righteousness - Deuteronomy 9:1 – 9:11 (commentary)
In this chapter Moses turns his attention to two of Israel’s problems: pride and self-righteousness. Instead of receiving the blessings of the Promised Land as unmerited gifts of grace, Israel felt they deserved the land. The reason is not given; perhaps it was because they felt it was promised to ...
Ahab Condemned - I Kings 20:26 – 20:43 (commentary)
Once again Israel was severely outnumbered by the Syrians (vv. 26-27). In comparison with the vast host of the Arameans the Israelite forces looked like two small flocks of goats (v. 27). God was their only hope of victory and He was about to demonstrate His power in a most viv …
Abram and Melchizedek - Genesis 14:13 – 14:24 (commentary)
After a brief look at Lot, we are taken back to Abraham (v. 13). When word reached Abraham that Lot had been captured, he could easily have shrugged his shoulders and said, “Well, Lot has gotten what he deserves! He should have stayed away from Sodom in the first place …
David’s Military Victories - I Chronicles 18:1 – 18:17 (commentary)
David expanded his kingdom as the Lord continued to give him victory. He subdued the Philistines by taking Gath, conquered Moab, won battles when Syria came to help these enemy nations, and defeated the other surrounding nations of Ammon and Amalek...
David Rescues His Soldiers’ Families - I Samuel 30:1 – 30:31 (commentary)
We often see how God, in His sovereign wisdom, uses the trials of life to prepare us for greater and sometimes different spheres of usefulness (II Cor. 1:4). In this chapter, we see David facing an unexpected crisis. When he and his men returned to Ziklag, they found that their f …