Don't lose the Fight!

Based on Numbers 31-33

By this time, the Israelites had made it pretty far. They had some victories, some defeats, but ultimately God brought through. Before Moses' death, God had one more great victory for him to see: the defeat of Midian. That is, if the Israelites did not lose hope, or lose fight! As long as they had some fight left in them, they'd win the fight! All because they were obeying The Lord!

"Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the Lord of Midian."
Numbers 31:2‭-‬3.

The Israelites indeed won this battle, but they did keep more people than they should have. They were to defeat the people of most everyone except the virgin women. They finally obeyed, and enjoyed a great victory in The Lord since they kept up the fight!

In the next chapter, God's people are preparing to finally pass over Jordan into the promised land. Moses would not go with them, but he knew that there would be more battles ahead. There is always something worth fighting for with God! However, Gad & Reuben decided they wanted to stay back:

"Even the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan." Numbers 32:4‭-‬5.

Although the idea may not have been bad, they were clearly losing fight. They had forgotten why they were in this thing in the first place-it's the good fight of faith with God! He will fight our battles if we just say yes! So Moses responded:

"...Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?" Numbers 32:6.

Moses went on to remind them of the power of a good report. The power of faith. The power of continuing the fight. He reminded them especially of Caleb & Joshua who did not let their circumstances intimidate them. And so Reuben & Gad responded:

"...We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: But we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land." Numbers 32:16‭-‬17.

Now that was more like it! At least show up for the fight! Be part of the action plan! And if we don't keep up the good fight:

"But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell." Numbers 33:55.

This all points to Jesus, who wore a crown of thorns for us! He kept up the ultimate fight, even unto death! So, it's our job to continue pressing forward, knowing He is right by our side!

"Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them." Numbers 33:56.

We become our own worst enemy when we give up. We can't walk away just because of intimidation, because we haven't even suffered defeat! Approach your situations with the eyes of faith, and see what God will do!

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12.

"Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you." Deuteronomy 3:22.