Title: Three factors of victory in life
Judges (12) The three factors of victory in life (Judges 5:1-13)
1. A life devoted to the vision
Israel won the war against Hazor because the leaders led the people wisely and the people joyfully devoted themselves to the leader's words (vv. 1-2). As such, the leader and the people must become one and make a joyful dedication. Therefore, be a responsible member who does not neglect sweat while worshiping and praying. In your life of faith, do not ignore the principles of the earth by setting forth only the principles of heaven. Faith is not ignoring the ground and sweat.
One day, a young astronomer who had a habit of observing the night sky fell into a well while walking while looking at the stars. “Help me!” he cried, and an acquaintance rescued him and said "youth! Don’t just try to know the sky, but also know the earth.” Be a responsible saint who dedicates himself with the hope of heaven while devoting himself to the church while taking good care of his family and faithfully doing earthly work.
Even if you start splendidly, you will have to go through the wilderness process to arrive in Canaan. In other words, a splendid start will not be Canaan soon. How many people have wasted their time looking for a way to go, drunk on a splendid start? Even if you have a brilliant start, there is no happiness unless you shed sweat, tears and blood. Pray more. There is never betrayal in the life of prayer. Be more dedicated with prayer. Even in a life of dedication, there is never betrayal.
2. A life of remembering grace
It was ultimately because of God's help that Israel won the war. In fact, the success or failure of everything depends on God. When we go out in holy work, we become frustrated when people do not participate. However, many great leaders in the Bible and in history all have had moments of frustration. So, do not be discouraged in moments of frustration. If you leave everything to God and go out in faith, you will eventually accomplish God's holy will.
Furthermore, do not stop at knowing that the source of victory is God, but always remember and live with thanks for that grace. When Israel was oppressed, the economy was devastated, and the seeds of true leaders were withered until Deborah appeared (vv. 6-7). Moreover, Israel did not have even a modest weapon (v. 8). Deborah sings to remember God's grace that gave us victory in such a situation. If you remember God's grace, God will add new grace to you.
When people are full, they usually forget the grace of God. If such material abundance makes us forget God's grace, the material becomes a curse rather than a blessing. Even though we have received material blessings, God's blessings become true blessings when we do not forget and remember His grace. Dogs recognize their owners when they are five days old. No less should the saints who have received grace forget God's grace.
3. A life of spreading grace
If you have remembered and given thanks for God's grace, you should not stay there but go on to a life of spreading God's grace (verses 10-11). When we connect the grace we receive with a life of witnessing, that grace becomes true grace. Don't let the river of grace stop in yourself like that, and diligently testify to others of the grace you have received.
Why is the church stagnating today? Lack of true worship is a problem and lack of urgency in prayer is a problem, but it is also a big problem to block the grace that should be delivered to others because there is no evidence. Now, share the grace you have received with others and try to make the community of faith you belong to a growing living organism. The church should not be a godly refrigerator, but an incubator that awakens believers and an agency that introduces Jesus.
Just because we are told to live a life of witness does not mean that we must do street evangelism and door-to-door evangelism. Even in the field of your own life, you can live the life of a witness. When we live the life of such a witness, as time goes by, our new connections will become stronger, and God will prepare a holy network that goes beyond our thoughts, so that you can taste the history of great victories through those connections at the right time.