Three Paths to Victory: Obey, Pray, and Remember
https://www.youtube.com/live/EeJ-G4ARY54
Today, we’re looking at Deuteronomy 4, focusing on verses 4–9. As we consider this passage, I’m reminded of an unusual question asked in the Old Testament: What is the meaning of this bleating of sheep and goats that I hear? This question was posed by the prophet Samuel to King Saul after Saul had disobeyed God’s command regarding the Amalekites.
Three Paths to Victory |The Path of Obedience
God had instructed Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites, including their livestock, yet Saul and his people spared King Agag and kept the best of the flocks. When confronted, Saul claimed he had obeyed, but the evidence—the sound of livestock—proved otherwise. He then shifted the blame to the people, excusing their disobedience by saying they intended to sacrifice the animals to God.
Samuel’s response was clear: Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. He went further, stating, Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Obedience is one of the key paths to victory. We cannot substitute religious acts for obedience to God’s commands. As James put it, I will show you my faith by my works. A true faith produces obedience.
Three Paths to Victory | The Path of Prayer
The second path to victory is prayer. Deuteronomy 4:7 says, For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? This verse reminds us of the privilege we have to pray to a living God who hears and answers.
Sometimes God answers quickly, as in the case of a recent prayer request at a meeting when a family member was feared to have had a stroke, but by the end of the meeting, we received news that she was fine. Other times, God tells us to wait because the timing isn’t right. And sometimes, He says no because He knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t understand.
Paul experienced this when he pleaded with God to remove a thorn in his flesh. God’s response was, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. If God’s answer to Paul could be no, we should not be surprised when we don’t always get what we ask for. But He is still near, and He hears us when we call.
I recall another instance when my second oldest daughter was in college at Free Will Baptist Bible College. I overheard her telling a friend on the phone that she needed $500 but felt responsible for it herself this time. She said, I guess I’ll have to pray. Rhonda and I didn’t intervene, and even if we had wanted to, we might not have been able to help. The next week, an envelope arrived in the mail with her name on it. Inside was a check for $500 from a church with which we had no known connection. They had simply felt led to give. That is the power of a living God who hears our prayers and provides in His own way and time.
Three Paths to Victory | The Path of Remembering
The third path to victory is to remember. Deuteronomy 4:9 says, Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.
God’s people were about to enter the Promised Land, and He wanted them to remember all He had done for them. Forgetfulness leads to unfaithfulness. When we fail to recall God’s past faithfulness, we are prone to wander. That’s why it’s crucial to share our testimonies with our children and grandchildren, passing down the stories of God’s provision and power.
G. Campbell Morgan once said there are four things we should remember: the law of God, His deliverances, the close calls where He saved our lives, and His love. We must tell others about the times God has intervened in our lives so that they too can trust in Him.
One of the greatest things we must remember is Christ’s sacrifice. The hymn Lead Me to Calvary reminds us: King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be. Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary.
Jesus endured suffering beyond comprehension. The crown of thorns was not a mere decoration but a painful mockery, its long thorns driven into His head. Before that, He had prayed in Gethsemane, sweating drops of blood as He submitted to the Father’s will. The Roman scourging ripped His flesh, leaving Him unrecognizable. And on the cross, He bore the sins of the world, experiencing separation from the Father for the first time in eternity. Yet, He willingly laid down His life for us.
But the story doesn’t end there. Mary found the tomb empty, and Jesus appeared to His disciples, then to two travelers on the road to Emmaus, and later to over 500 people. His resurrection is a proven fact, and because He lives, we can claim the gift of eternal life.
Conclusion
Victory in the Christian life comes through obedience, prayer, and remembering God’s faithfulness. When we obey, we show our faith. When we pray, we acknowledge our dependence on God. And when we remember, we build our trust in Him and encourage the next generation to follow Him.
If you’ve never trusted Christ as your Savior, today is the day. If you’ve drifted from Him, now is the time to return. In a moment, we’ll have a song of invitation. If you need salvation, rededication, or simply have a burden to bring before the Lord, I invite you to come. If you go forward in a church service someone will meet you to pray with you if you don’t want to come alone.
Let’s determine to walk these paths to victory every day.