“Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og, king of Bashan, with all his people came out to meet us in battle at Edrei. But the LORD said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; and you shall do to him just as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.’ Deuteronomy 3:1-2
King Og of Bashan was the last survivor from the race of giants called the Rephaites. His iron bed was over thirteen feet long and six feet wide. Besides his size and physical strength, just the sight of him would be emotionally intimidating. When facing the giants forty years earlier, ten of the twelve spies would fall to fear, putting their emotions from what they saw above what God said thereby refusing to face and fight the giants of the land. What overwhelming obstacle or giant have you faced in your life? Is there a wall of fear stopping you from moving forward?
A reminder of former victories with a present promise creates hope and confidence. Notice how God encourages Israel to face this giant? God reminds them not to be afraid, then He promises that they will win (I have delivered him into your hand), and finally He finishes his statement by referencing a memory from a past victory (just like before). This memory of a former victory pulls forward a victorious memory from the past which gives them confidence in the present. King David did the same thing God dis when King Saul told him he cannot defeat Goliath. David said, ‘I killed the lion and the Bear, and this philistine will be no different.’ God wants you to meditate on your victories and His instructions, not your fears or insecurities. What you think on repeatedly will determine how you feel. Is there something by which you need to put your faith above your feelings?
Building one testimony after another is a way of stacking memories of how God has helped you in the past. It is these past victories combined with His ever-present word of guidance in the present that will help you to confidently navigate any obstacle or giant you are facing. As your faith rises in God, it rises too for the situation you are facing, and it is this full assurance God is with you to ensure you have the victory when facing your giant.
REFLECT TO CONNECT:
- If each testimony in your life was a chapter, what does the title list look like?
- What is the benefit of remembering past victories with God for your present situation?
- Is there someone you can reference a former positive memory to someone today to help them build confidence?
Principle: Leaders build confidence in the present by referring to past victories in the present
