Ministering: Pastor Shola Awobajo
Men of Valor – Grand Finale
Text: Judges 6:1-17.
” 1And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. 2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. 3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; 4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. 5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it. 6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord. 7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, 8 That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; 9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land; 10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice. 11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor. 13 And Gideon said unto him, oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. 14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? 15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house. 16 And the Lord said unto him, Surely, I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. 17 And he said unto him, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.” KJV.
To be a mighty man means to be One Who is “Strong in the Spirit”. Every mighty man of valor has a unique call from God. It is a calling not an optional vocation. All through the Bible, God called certain men who were considered insignificant in the society but through His Spirit in them, these weak vessels became mighty men of valor. A few examples are Moses (a runaway fugitive), David (a shepherd relegated to look after sheep), Gideon (a fearful Farmer hiding from the enemy), etc.
From our above text, the children of Israel had sinned and thus were under the bondage of their enemies (the Midianites). Among them was Gideon who had a weak family background, but God saw a mighty man of valor in him. God is not looking for mighty people to use but willing vessels who acknowledge their weakness and are ready to be indwelt by Him for great feats on Earth. Our society is filled with many works of darkness and God is still calling men (and women) first to Himself so that they can be built up as mighty men & women of valor in other to reflect His light everywhere.
It is through the Blood of Jesus Christ that we were delivered from the oppression of the devil so that we can be transformed by the Spirit of God as mighty men and women of valor. Through carelessness, many have allowed certain things to depart from them which invariably opened the door for the enemy just like Israel kept sinning and thus came under the Midianites.
Things that must not Depart from a Man of Valor
- The spirit of God must not leave your life. King Saul in 1 Sam. 16:14
- The glory of God must not depart from your life. Samson in Judges 16:19-21
- The power of God must not die in your Life.
- Your labor & work must not die. Judges 6:3-5
- Your place in destiny must not elude you. Stand for your family. Eph. 6:14-15
- The key to your life and wellbeing must not die. Christ is that key that must never die in your hand. Rev. 3:15-18
- The spirit of prayer must not die in your life. The word of God must not depart in your heart.
- The vision of God for your life must not die.
Characteristics of Mighty Men of Valor
- Courage in the place of fear.
- Obedience to the call of God.
- Trust God that He can accomplish great feats through you.
Without God in anything you are doing, you are nothing. There is an assignment God has for you as a man of valor, rise up and fulfill that call. He had an assignment for Gideon, David, Moses, etc. and all of them fulfilled it, may you not fail God and your generation.
In conclusion, there is no limitation that cannot be conquered. You are more than your weakness, just be in proper alignment with God. You don’t need to have much to be used by God, God told Gideon to reduce the army from about 30,000 to 300 and that was enough to conquer a seeming undefeatable enemy. Stop despising what is in your hand, God can accomplish much with it. It was a simple rod, He used to part the Red Sea, it was an ordinary sling, He used to bring down Goliath. God has invested so much in your life, don’t let that investment be a waste.
God Bless You!
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