When Sihon and all his army came out to meet us in battle at Jahaz, the Lord our God delivered him over to us and we struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army. From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the gorge, even as far as Gilead, not one town was too strong for us. The Lord our God gave us all of them.
Deuteronomy 2:32-33, 36 NIV
Imagine facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Mountains rise before you, walls stand defiant, and giants block your path. This was the reality for the Israelites as they set foot in the promised land. Yet, against all human logic, they emerged victorious. The secret weapon? Not their strength, not their tactics, but a powerful truth etched in Deuteronomy 2:32-33, 36: “The Lord our God delivered him over to us… not one town was too strong for us. The Lord our God gave us all of them.”
The Israelites won every battle because the Lord delivered their enemies into their hands. God also gave them the best strategies to use on the battlefield. When they followed God’s instructions carefully, victory was certain. It did not matter how many or how few soldiers they had or what tactics they used. The most important factor was God’s power and presence with them; that is a weapon like no other. That is why the same strategy that worked in one battle might fail in another. God had different plans for each situation.
This wasn’t about superior strategy or brute force. It was about divine intervention, about surrendering to a power far greater than themselves. This isn’t to say the Israelites were mere puppets; their obedience and faith unlocked God’s mighty hand. Remember Jericho? No siege engines, no physical weapon, no ladders – just faith and a march around the walls.
Then the Lord told Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse, and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
Joshua 6:2-5 NIV
Trumpets blaring, walls crumbling, and a resounding victory secured through God’s power. This episode echoes a universal truth: victory doesn’t lie in our human schemes but in aligning our hearts with God’s will and allowing His presence to pave the way.
Now, when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
Joshua 5:13-14 NIV
Think of your own struggles and the battles you face daily. Whether personal demons or societal mountains, the same principle applies: the battle belongs to the Lord. He does not need any human help to win a battle. However, He only needs someone who is willing to obey Him and trust Him. He is the commander of the army, and He has the best plan for every situation. When we recognize this, the burden of control lifts, and we step into the liberating space of surrender.
So, where do we stand in this equation? Would we be counted among those whose hands God can use for victory? This introspective question invites us to examine our hearts to ensure our lives are aligned with His will. Are we walking in obedience, faith, and surrender?
In conclusion, true victory doesn’t come from clenching our fists but from opening our hearts to God’s power. Let us yield to His guidance, walk in faith, and trust that His presence is the ultimate secret weapon for conquering any challenge. Remember, the mountains may stand tall, and the walls may seem impregnable, but with God as our commander, victory awaits.
