Despite the challenges and obstacles you may be facing or still yet to face, a truth overrides experience: our faith in Jesus will put us above every challenge we may face.
Invictus Games: A Symbol of Unyielding Spirit.
In preparation for this message, I’m brought to remembrance about The Invictus Games, first held in 2014, an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans. The term “Invictus” is Latin for “unconquered,” reflecting the resilience and strength of its participants.
As a born-again believer, you must remember that you are not fighting for Victory; you are fighting from a place of Victory! Despite your “wounds”, challenges and obstacles, you have Victory in Christ Jesus.
God is wanting you to remain in the game and He will enable you to continue in His strength, not yours alone.
Gideon: The Mighty Man of Valour
In Judges 6:11-14, Gideon is introduced as a man hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat to protect it from the oppressive Midianites. Despite his fear and the dire circumstances, an angel of the Lord appears to him and declares, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” This divine encounter under the terebinth tree marks a turning point, revealing Gideon’s true identity and potential.
“Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Gideon said to Him, “O my Lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” Judges 6:11-14
Threshing Wheat in a Winepress
Gideon’s act of threshing wheat in a winepress symbolises the scarcity, lack, and fear faced by Israel due to their disobedience and removal from God’s word. God wants you to keep your eye on His Word, promises and Love for you. The angel’s declaration invites Gideon to reclaim his correct identity and perspective, focusing on his potential rather than his problems.
Maybe you can relate. There may be areas in your life that appear to be lacking or experiencing scarcity. What has God spoken over you? Read His Word, it is full of promises and declarations over His people. It still applies today!
God’s Call to Action
God’s message to Gideon, “Have I not sent you?” emphasises that Gideon himself is the Solution to the problem because God has predestined him for a time such as this to be the military leader who conquered the opposition. This prophetic declaration encourages us to see the potential within us, even when we feel overwhelmed by obstacles.
Gideon couldn’t see God’s plan. His eyes were on the enemy’s plan. God was not the answer to the problem, Gideon was the answer to the problem! The Solution was in him! Gideon couldn’t see into the prophetic declaration over His life as so many believers structure when faced with opposition!
What is in your hands and abilities? God will never allow you to be in a place from which you cannot escape. Often, though, we are the very Solution to our problems. Often to very solutions to our problems lie within us or at very least right in front of us. We need to shift our perspectives and ask the Holy Spirit to show us what or where the Solution to our problems lies. Is it a physical talent, ability, contact in our lives, or repentance of something we’ve missed or disobeyed God with?
Overcoming Giants
“Sometimes, there are giants, obstacles, and problems that are allowed, which release what’s in you, pressing you into your destiny!” – Shaun Smit.
This statement reflects the belief that challenges can be the catalyst for discovering our true strength and purpose.
Born to Overcome
As believers, we are called to overcome. 1 John 5:3-5 (AMP) reminds us that the true love of God is expressed through keeping His commandments, and through our persistent faith in Jesus, we are victorious and overcome the world.
“For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and precepts are not difficult [to obey]. For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the Victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. Who is the one who is victorious and overcomes the world? It is the one who believes and recognises the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:3-5 AMP
The phrase “put a stake in the ground” has literal and metaphorical origins and has been used in various contexts throughout history.
Literal Origins
Surveying and Land Claims
Historically, putting a stake in the ground was a literal action performed by surveyors to mark land boundaries. Defining property lines and claiming land were common during land surveys. The stake served as a physical marker to denote ownership or the extent of a territory.
Metaphorical Usage
Making a Firm Decision or Commitment
The phrase often signifies a definitive decision or commitment to a course of action. It implies that one firmly establishes one’s position or intentions, much like a physical stake in the ground marks a specific location.
Sometimes, you first have to make a conscious decision in the Spirit and put a stake in the ground that you are not going to be moved. You are going to fight the good fight of faith until the end! It starts with a decision not a feeling or determined by what is seen in the natural.
The Terebinth Tree: A Symbol of Divine Encounter
The terebinth tree, where Gideon encountered the angel, represents a place of divine encounter, commissioning and protection. In this sacred space, individuals are called to action and empowered by God. God is calling us to a deeper place of intimacy so that we may encounter Him, and that is what He has commissioned for us, and it’s in that place we find provision and protection.
Faith and Hope
Our faith is our shield, and our hope is our anchor. In moments of despair, such as Gideon’s initial fear, our persistent faith and hope in God’s promises guide us. Revelation 19:13 and 12:11 remind us of the power of the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
“He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” Revelation 19:13
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Revelation 12:11
The Call to Action
The odds of any of us being born are: 1 in 400 trillion. The fact that you were born tells me you are already an overcomer from birth! The fact that you are born again tells me Victory is your guarantee if you do not faint and are in the assignment God has predestined for you!
In facing our “winepress” moments, we must remember that we are born overcomers. Ephesians 6:16-17 encourages us to take up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, to stand firm against all challenges.
Conclusion
We are not meant to settle for less. Like Gideon, we are called to recognise our potential and step into the role God has predestined for us.
“Embrace your identity as mighty man or women of courage, anchored in hope and faith, ready to overcome every obstacle.” Shaun Smit
My Prayer over you today is:
Jehovah-Gibbor Milchamah, The Lord Mighty in Battle; those who question who you are are without your blessing most sovereign in battle, and I thank You for the Mighty Conqueror. You are the Lord Mighty in battle, and I give You the praise for who you are. I know that when we have understanding and walk in it, we win, for you are with us, and we are with You, and we are blessed. I pray for understanding, assurance, confidence and boldness for every person right now. I pray the release of the anointing on every reader to overcome every obstacle in their lives and that you will use their pressing to move them into a place of harvesting in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
This blog was inspired by Ps Shaun’s message at Faith Legacy Believers Church on the 9th of June, 2024. You can watch the full message below.