Overcome, Don’t be Overrun

Overcome, Don’t be Overrun 19 Dec 2012

Hebrews 11:32

Challenges and adversities are a part of this life. God will give us the strength to overcome, but we should not add problems to our lives through unwise choices and disobedient living.

1. DON’T SELF-DESTRUCT. (Judges 6:1-6)

The situation was really bad for Israel. 
The Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites. 
Their crops and livestock were taken and their
 land was ravaged. But they were their own worst enemy. 
God had delivered them, but they had FDD (Faith Deficit Disorder). 
Because they were unwilling to serve Him long term,
 they continued to make foolish choices and 
reap painful consequences. This is still true today. 
Why are people surprised that problems escalate, 
pain reproduces itself, and despair chases 
after them when they run after sin? 
Sowing to the wind WILL reap the whirlwind 
of judgment and punishment (Hosea 8:7). 
It is far better to serve God and live in His power.

2. DON’T HESITATE TO OBEY THE LORD. (Judges 6)

In Judges 6:14, God says to Gideon,
 “I have a mission for you. Save Israel.”
 But Gideon is slow to get rolling.
 He makes excuses and asks for a sign. 
Then, full of fear, he does the right thing… 
but at night so that no one will see him. 
Then he asks (twice) for confirmation with a fleece, 
which was actually a sign of weakness, 
not a biblical prescription. Finally, 
Gideon obeys God.

What is God calling you to do? 
Where are you to grow? 
Who are you to become? 
Maybe God has presented you with
 an incredible opportunity. 
Maybe God wants you to 
change something in your life.
 Maybe God wants you to grow in a certain area. 
Maybe God is talking to you about your marriage/family/job. 
Or maybe God is speaking to you about 
your faith in Him. When God talks, 
we must listen and walk in obedience.

3. DON’T ALLOW THE ENEMY TO BECOME BIGGER THAN GOD. (Judges 7)

God saw Gideon’s fear, and He built his faith. 
The army of 32,000 that Gideon raised 
was eventually reduced to 300 men who
 lapped water with their hands to their mouths…and 
who eventually whipped up on the boys 
from Midian with nothing more than jars, 
torches, and trumpets.
 It was definitely a victory from God!

So many people allow their problems to dwarf God. 
But God is bigger than our biggest problems.
 God is more than enough, 
and He wants to build your faith as He did Gideon’s!
 Whatever you are going through today,
 trust Him, rely on Him, and put your confidence in Him. 
In His strength you can overcome.