VICTORY IN THE WILDERNESS II

Text: Num. 21:1-9

“And when king Arad the Canaanite which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners. And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities; and he called the name of the place Hormah. And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”

Verse 1 of this scripture reveals a challenge. There was a threat. Verse 2 reveals the reaction of the children of Israel to the challenge. Challenges are normal. God looks at your reaction to know whether or not to intervene. Verse 3 reveals divine intervention. Your reaction will determine the nature of intervention you will receive. What is your reaction to challenges? How do you react to challenges? How do you react to a life threatening circumstance; a challenge that pitches you face to face with the enemy, it may be an existential challenge. How do you react? Do you look up? Do you call for divine intervention?

How did Israel react in this situation? Israel made a vow to God. God intervened and the vow was duly fulfilled. Whenever you make a vow to God, endeavour to fulfil it. A lot of people make vows to God but soon after God’s intervention, they tend to forget to fulfil the vow. This is one of the ways through which you can enter into a wilderness experience.

A wilderness is a place of wild beasts. It is like an uncharted sea. Every passing moment in a wilderness threatens your every existence. A wilderness can be a very dry place to be, a very life-threatening place to live. Things grow uncontrollably in the wilderness. Mind your reaction whenever you are faced with a challenge. With the right attitude and the right connection, there will be a divine intervention. That is where genuine help comes from. That is where comprehensive help can come from. That is where divine enablement comes from. That is where supernatural empowerment to do what ordinarily you cannot do comes from. That is where the anointing for victories comes from. Receive the grace to always look up in the face of challenges in the name of Jesus.

Verse 3 – take note of the first victory. King Arad was utterly destroyed with the cities of the Canaanites. Every Canaanite raging against the purpose of God in your life will be utterly destroyed in the name of Jesus. Every strongman that has vowed to fight you will be crushed in the name of Jesus.

Pray –

• Heavenly Father, you are the God of Israel, you know no defeat. I hand over every strongman that has arisen against your purpose in my life to you. Let the strongman be utterly dismantled and destroyed. I ask that you grant me your intervention. Grant me comprehensive victory in Jesus name. Amen.

TO BE CONTINUED………