READ: 1 KINGS 19:1-2
Elijah had just won a
great victory over the prophets of Baal. He had turned the hearts of the Israelites
back to God. He was about to rest when report came that Jezebel had sworn to
kill him within 24 hours. One thing to note here is that you are prone to the
enemy’s attack after a major victory. He knows at such time you will feel
relaxed. “Wherefore take to you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians
6:13)
Having done all, you are to stand. Christians must never rest on their oars. After winning souls to Christ, stand. When you have just had your baby, stand. After your promotion, stand. The more things are changing for the better in your life, the more you should stand up and pray. In Judges 8:22-27, after Gideon had a great victory, Satan moved to the second round: he suggested to the people to ask him to become their leader. Gideon refused. In round three, Satan suggested that he should make a unique golden ephod and place it in his city, in commemoration of his victory over the Midianites. Gideon fell for this. He immediately asked gold from the people and they gave him. With this, he made the golden ephod and placed it in the city of Ophrah. It became a monumental master piece, a tourist attraction which the Israelites soon turned into an object of worship. His victory had become an idol, luring Israelites from the living God.
God gives you victory to turn people’s heart to Him and for Him to receive the glory. But when you begin to celebrate to the point of idolizing it, you rob God of His glory, turn people’s heart to idolize the victory instead of serving God, and end up defeated by Satan. Believers must be very careful. There is a snare concealed in the call to celebrate your victory. If care is not taken, you will fall into it. Celebrate your victory within limits. The best way to celebrate that victory, success and blessing is by going before God in humility. By giving Him 100% credit for the victory. By thanking Him and praising His name. By testifying to the victory, giving God the credit. And having done all, stand in prayer and watchfulness.
Having done all, you are to stand. Christians must never rest on their oars. After winning souls to Christ, stand. When you have just had your baby, stand. After your promotion, stand. The more things are changing for the better in your life, the more you should stand up and pray. In Judges 8:22-27, after Gideon had a great victory, Satan moved to the second round: he suggested to the people to ask him to become their leader. Gideon refused. In round three, Satan suggested that he should make a unique golden ephod and place it in his city, in commemoration of his victory over the Midianites. Gideon fell for this. He immediately asked gold from the people and they gave him. With this, he made the golden ephod and placed it in the city of Ophrah. It became a monumental master piece, a tourist attraction which the Israelites soon turned into an object of worship. His victory had become an idol, luring Israelites from the living God.
God gives you victory to turn people’s heart to Him and for Him to receive the glory. But when you begin to celebrate to the point of idolizing it, you rob God of His glory, turn people’s heart to idolize the victory instead of serving God, and end up defeated by Satan. Believers must be very careful. There is a snare concealed in the call to celebrate your victory. If care is not taken, you will fall into it. Celebrate your victory within limits. The best way to celebrate that victory, success and blessing is by going before God in humility. By giving Him 100% credit for the victory. By thanking Him and praising His name. By testifying to the victory, giving God the credit. And having done all, stand in prayer and watchfulness.
Memorize:
Ephesians 6:13 –Wherefore take to you the whole armor of God, that you may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
