God is the source of all victory, which he grants to those who obey his commands and put their confidence in him. This principle holds true in all believers' conflicts, whether physical or spiritual.
God is the source of all victory
Deuteronomy 20:1–4 See also 2 Chronicles 20:15; Psalm 18:35; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14
When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”
Victory is achieved by God, not people
Psalm 20:7–8 See also 1 Samuel 17:45–47; Psalm 44:3–7, Psalm 60:11–12, Psalm 146:3; Proverbs 21:31
Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
Victory should be ascribed to God
Psalm 118:15 See also Exodus 15:1; Psalm 21:1; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Revelation 19:1–2
Shouts of joy and salvation resound in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!
Victory depends on faithfulness
God grants victory to those who are faithful to him
1 Chronicles 22:13 See also Exodus 23:20–23; Psalm 112:8; Proverbs 2:7
Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Unfaithfulness to God brings defeat
Numbers 14:41–43 See also Deuteronomy 28:15, Deuteronomy 28:25; 2 Chronicles 24:20
But Moses said, “Why are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD? This will not succeed! Do not go up, lest you be struck down by your enemies, because the LORD is not among you. For there the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you, and you will fall by the sword. Because you have turned away from the LORD, He will not be with you.”
Examples of God giving victory
Exodus 17:8–15 to Israel over the Amalekites; Joshua 6:2–5, Joshua 6:20; Judges 7:15–22 to Gideon over the Midianites; Judges 15:12–19 to Samson over 1,000 Philistines; 1 Samuel 7:7–12 to the Israelites at Mizpah; 1 Samuel 17:38–50 to David over Goliath; 1 Kings 18:36–39 to Elijah at Mount Carmel; 1 Chronicles 11:4–9 when David conquered Jerusalem
God is able to work through defeat
Genesis 50:20 See also Judges 16:24, Judges 16:30; Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:7–12, 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this— to preserve the lives of many people.
God is able to fulfil his purposes through the victory of unbelievers
Isaiah 44:28–45:4 See also Isaiah 41:25, Isaiah 45:13; Ezekiel 33:27–29 This is how Ezekiel is to explain Babylon's victory over Jerusalem; Acts 2:36, Acts 3:17–18
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.