Today, my message is entitled “From Defeat to Victory.” We’re going to be talking about dealing with what many would consider impossible situations, situations from which there may seem no escape. From time to time, each of us will face these kinds of impossible situations.
In May 1940, the allied forces were being badly defeated by the Germans in France. 350,000 soldiers had been driven back to the sea at the port of Dunkirk in France. They had nowhere to hide and there were too many to evacuate by sea. They were just waiting for the German airforce to obliterate them. It was an impossible situation. The British commander sent a short three-word message to England “But if not.” It was a reference to what Daniel’s 3 friends said as they were about to be cast into a blazing furnace.
Daniel 3:17-18 (NKJV) our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, … But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
The believers in England began to pray, the weather changed grounding German planes. 800 fishing boats joined the navy and over ten days the soldiers were evacuated in the Miracle at Dunkirk. Defeat was turned to ultimate victory. No matter what impossible situation you find yourself in, the Bible has the answer to bring victory.
I believe that our country of America is entering into a post-Christian era, an era where biblical values will no longer be the majority opinion across the country. This has been the situation in Europe for many years and will lead to many difficult situations. Rather than being discouraged or upset about the situation, we must believe that God has a plan and purpose for us to reach people for Him in the midst of it.
The people of God in parts of the Old and all of the New Testament lived in an environment that was not friendly to people of faith. The entire New Testament era took place with evil kings in positions of authority, many of whom tried to stamp out Christianity through persecution. Yet the church flourished and saw great growth.
Today, we’re going to look at some stories from the book of Daniel. Daniel and his friends were captured and led into exile in Babylon. They were chosen to work in the king’s palace. It might have seemed like an impossible and hopeless situation. Yet God was with them and their stories have inspired believers in impossible situations down through the centuries.
Today, we’re going to look at three situations that looked like sure defeat and see how God gave the victory to Daniel and his friends. In the same way, God can lead you from defeat to victory in your own life.
Very interesting and much I