Slaying Your Sihons
Today’s Verse:
And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel. ~Numbers 21:23
What is the most gigantic problem you have ever faced? Whatever it may have been, it stood between you and success. This morning, let us see an incident that teaches us the importance of not letting the giants in our life from intimidating us or causing us to retreat. Let us see the importance of slaying our Sihons.
We see a request.
“Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king’s high way, until we be past thy borders.” Israel was making its journey through the wilderness. In its path was the land of the Amorites and King Sihon. Israel did not wish to provoke a fight, but to simply pass through their land. We must remember that even though there are enemies along our way, we are to be respectful and avoid being the ones who instigate conflict.
We see a refusal.
“And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.” “Sihon” means “warrior.” This formidable warrior was used to being confrontational and forcing a fight with any who walked into his territory. His goal was to not allow Israel to pass over. Our spiritual enemies are the same way: they do not want us to pass over, make advances, or to succeed. Be ready for a giant to stand in your way. Giants stand ready to always fight.
We see a routing.
“And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.” Israel did not back down. Israel smote them with the edge of the sword, defeated them, and took possession of their land. When we are confronted by a giant, we must take the fight to them and defeat them with the edge of our sword, the Word of God. We must not retreat, but go forward with determination that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
We see a recurrence.
“And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.” There will be more giants along the way. They have different names, but they are always bigger than us and very boisterous. Giants raise their ugly heads against us every time we exercise faith. They stand in the way every time we pray. They confront us after each decision we make for the Lord. Giants always stand between us and success. Be ready for the giants that are in the way.
We see a resolve.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.” God promises us victory against our giants. Do not be fearful or intimidated by their threats and size. Have faith in God’s power and strength to overcome them. Be resolved that no giant will keep you from going forward.
Whatever giants you are facing, God is on your side to overcome them. Keep your focus, have faith, and fight to conquer!
Have a conquering God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Corinthians 1-4