WALKING IN VICTORY

WALKING IN VICTORY

Judges 3:31

INTRODUCTION:

Good morning, everyone. Have you ever felt like the odds were stacked against you? Like the challenges in your life were just too big to overcome, and you didn’t have what it takes to face them? Maybe you’ve found yourself saying, “If only I had more resources, more time, or more strength, I could make a difference.” Well, today I want to share a story from Scripture that shows us that victory doesn’t depend on having everything we think we need.

In fact, the story of Shamgar, a man who defeated 600 Philistines with nothing more than a simple farming tool, teaches us a powerful lesson. He shows us that victory doesn’t come from what we lack—it comes from what we have and what we’re willing to do with it. So, if you’ve ever felt like you didn’t have enough, or like you were too small to make a big difference, this message is for you. Let’s take a moment to look at how God can take what seems insignificant and use it for His glory.

TRANSTION:

In Judges 3:31, we encounter the brief yet profound account of Shamgar, one of Israel’s lesser-known judges. His story, confined to a single verse, paints a powerful picture of courage and faith. Shamgar follows two significant leaders—Caleb’s brother Othniel and the brave, left-handed Ehud—who had led Israel to victory over the Moabites, ushering in seasons of peace. Yet, despite the peace, Israel still faced continuous invasions and plundering by surrounding enemies, including the Philistines.

Even more troubling, Israel’s own internal struggles with faith led to a cycle of rebellion and judgment, bringing them into bondage. 

The verse we are going to look at today — along with a few verses in chapter 5 provided us with the sum total of Shamgar’s (biblical description).

Israel themselves were in many ways their own enemies. Through the years, they would cycle in and out of faith in God. Their rebellion actually led them into seasons of judgment and bondage. 

At one point, the book of Judges describes the lack of public safety as they faced the terrorizing raids of warring nations. 

In Judges 5:6, the text says,

“In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, the roads were abandoned; travelers took to winding paths.”

This verse describes a time of chaos and insecurity. Verse 7 continues,

“Village life in Israel ceased,” and in verse 8, “…not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.” 

These were desperate times—times when Shamgar’s leadership would emerge as a beacon of hope. Judges 3:31 speaks of this. Here it says,

“After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel.”

Shamgar’s victory is described in the simple yet awe-inspiring words: “He struck down six hundred Philistines with an ox goad.” It wasn’t the military might of a seasoned army or the weapons of war that secured the victory, but the courage of one man, armed with little more than a farming tool. Today, we’ll examine how Shamgar’s victory can inspire our own walk in victory.

TRANSITION:

Before we dive into the application, let me briefly explain what an ox goad is. 

An ox goad was a tool used in ancient farming—typically about five to ten feet long, with a sharp metal tip at one end. It was used to prod oxen, helping them plow fields. It was NOT a weapon of war, just a farming tool.

Even so, when it was necessary, Shamgar transformed an ox goad into a lethal weapon and an instrument of victory. This transformation happened not because of the tool, but because of Shamgar’s courage, faith, and obedience to God’s calling.

With that being said, look with me again at verse 31. Here we’re told:

“After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel.”

MESSAGE:

As we reflect on Shamgar’s brief yet powerful story, we begin to see that his victory was not born from ideal circumstances or superior resources. Instead, his triumph came from a deep sense of purpose, unwavering courage, and a willingness to use what he had in the moment he was called. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, Shamgar stepped up where others may have shrunk back, demonstrating that true victory often begins in the most unlikely of situations. With that in mind, let’s turn our attention to how we can apply Shamgar’s example to our own lives. His story teaches us three key principles that we can carry with us on our journey toward victory in Christ.

And the first is this:

1. VICTORY STARTS WHERE YOU ARE

I want to point out the significance of where Shamgar was when he stepped up to lead Israel. 

He was in a time of crisis, surrounded by enemies, with no army to back him up and no military tools at his disposal. He could have seen himself as powerless, but instead, he chose to act. He understood that victory doesn’t wait for ideal circumstances—it begins with where you are, no matter how challenging the situation may seem.

Psychologist Salvatore R. Maddi talks about three key principles for dealing with stress: Commitment, Control, and Challenge. 

Commitment: “When stress hits, you stay involve and don’t pull-out.”

Control: “Then you try and to take charge of your situation. You try to gain control of the situation, not the stress.”

Challenge: “You view the stress as an opportunity to learn. You refuse to allow yourself to fall into self-pity.

These principles could just as easily describe Shamgar’s approach.

• Commitment: Shamgar remained involved despite the dire situation, refusing to retreat into self-pity or despair.

• Control: Instead of focusing on what he lacked, he took control of what he had, using the ox goad as a weapon.

• Challenge: He viewed the situation as an opportunity to rise above, embracing the challenge before him instead of being overwhelmed by it.

Shamgar didn’t wait for perfect circumstances. He didn’t wait for God to give him a better tool or an army. He started where he was, in the midst of his weakness, trusting that God would supply what he needed. God often calls us to step up, not when we feel strong, but when we admit our weaknesses and depend on His strength.

Shamgar didn’t wait for perfect circumstances or a better tool, and his willingness to act in the midst of weakness demonstrates the humility that these scriptures highlight. 

In Proverbs 3:34, we see that God shows favor to the humble, and Shamgar’s humble willingness to step into the battle with nothing but an ox goad exemplifies this. He didn’t trust in his own strength or in the ideal conditions but relied on God, who gives grace to those who are humble.

In James 4:6, the principle is clear: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 

Shamgar’s story reminds us that victory doesn’t come from pride or self-reliance, but from recognizing our own inadequacies and humbling ourselves before God. When we admit we can’t do it on our own, we open the door for God’s grace and empowerment to flow.

And again, in 1 Peter 5:5 — Peter calls upon us to clothe ourselves with humility, both in our relationship with one another and before God. 

Shamgar, in his humility, didn’t need to be a mighty warrior or have an army. He simply did what he could, and in doing so, God gave him victory!

This is the essence of humility—doing what we can with what we have, trusting that God will provide what we lack.

These verses, in light of Shamgar’s story, teach us that true victory comes not from strength or pride but from humbly depending on God, acknowledging our need for His help, and acting faithfully with what He has given us.

In this section of the message, we see that Shamgar’s victory came not from ideal circumstances or superior strength, but from his humility and willingness to act in his weakness. He didn’t wait for perfect tools or conditions; instead, he trusted God to supply what he needed. 

Application: In our own lives, we often wait for ideal circumstances before stepping out in faith, but like Shamgar, we should learn to act where we are with what we have. 

God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the humble. When we acknowledge our limitations and depend on God’s grace, we open the door for His power to work through us. Victory starts when we humble ourselves, trusting that God will provide the strength and resources we need.

2. VICTORY FLOWS FROM WHAT YOU HAVE

Shamgar’s victory wasn’t determined by what he lacked, but by what he had. It’s easy to focus on what we don’t have—whether it’s resources, opportunities, or the right tools—but Shamgar’s story teaches us that victory comes when we choose to use what we already possess. Shamgar didn’t have a sword, a shield, or any formal military training. He wasn’t equipped with the weapons of a seasoned warrior. What he did have was an ox goad, a simple farming tool used to prod oxen to plow fields.

But Shamgar’s victory came not because of the ox goad itself but because he offered it to God. What would seem like an ordinary, insignificant tool in human terms became the very instrument through which God gave him the strength to defeat 600 Philistines. It wasn’t the tool—it was Shamgar’s willingness to use what he had, trusting God to multiply its effectiveness.

This idea of using what we have reminds me of the story of Moses. When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, Moses hesitated. He was overwhelmed by his inadequacies and feared he didn’t have what it took. He had no army, no position of power, and certainly no experience in confronting Pharaoh. But when Moses protested, God asked him a simple question: “What is that in your hand?” All Moses had was a shepherd’s staff. It was just a simple, everyday tool—a symbol of his ordinary life as a shepherd. But when Moses offered it to God, that simple staff became the vehicle for miraculous signs and wonders, including the parting of the Red Sea.

Just like Moses, we may feel that what we have is too insignificant to make a difference. But the truth is, God doesn’t need extraordinary tools to do extraordinary things. He can take whatever we have in our hands—whether it’s our skills, resources, time, or even our weaknesses—and use it for His glory, if we are willing to surrender it to Him.

Application: What is in your hand today? It’s easy to look at the needs around us and feel that we don’t have what it takes to make a difference. Maybe you don’t have all the resources, the education, or the experience you think you need. But like Shamgar and Moses, God can use what you already have. The key is offering it to Him with a willing heart, acknowledging that it’s not about your ability, but about God’s power working through your willingness.

Victory begins when we stop waiting for the perfect circumstances or the ideal resources, and instead, we use what we have right now. God will take our small acts of faith and multiply them to accomplish great things. He specializes in using ordinary things—when dedicated to Him—for extraordinary purposes. So, ask yourself today: What do I have that God can use? How can I step out in faith, offering what I have, and trust God to bring about victory?

The last thing I want to mention in regards to your victory in life, is this:

3. VICTORY IS CONTINGENT UPON YOU DOING WHAT YOU CAN

One of the most important lessons from Shamgar’s story is that victory is not always about achieving the impossible or facing overwhelming odds. Rather, it’s about being faithful to do what we can with what we have, even when the circumstances seem daunting. Shamgar didn’t face down 600 Philistines all at once; he did what he could, step by step, with the tools and strength available to him. His victory came because he didn’t wait for everything to be perfect; he simply did what he could with what he had, trusting that God would do what he couldn’t.

True success and victory don’t always look like a grand, sweeping conquest. Sometimes, victory comes in the small, faithful steps we take, trusting God to multiply those efforts. Shamgar didn’t need to be a seasoned warrior or have a collection of battle gear. All he needed was the willingness to act and the faith to use the resources at his disposal. God took Shamgar’s humble efforts and turned them into something powerful.

There’s a saying: “The only man who never failed is the man who never tried.” 

Fear of failure often paralyzes us, preventing us from stepping out in faith. But every leader, whether from history or the Bible, faced challenges. They didn’t let those challenges stop them; they pressed forward, they tried, and they kept going—even when the odds seemed impossible. Shamgar, with his ox goad, teaches us that victory comes not from avoiding failure but from being faithful to do what we can, even when the outcome is uncertain.

Application: It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges before us and to wonder if we have what it takes to make a difference. But like Shamgar, we don’t need to have everything figured out or be fully equipped. We just need to do what we can, even when it seems small or insignificant. Whether it’s stepping out to serve, taking the first step toward a goal, or doing the small tasks that seem unnoticed, God is calling us to be faithful with what we can do right now.

Remember, victory often comes not from doing everything perfectly, but from doing what you can, trusting that God will take your efforts and multiply them. Don’t let fear of failure or doubt hold you back. Step out in faith, take action, and let God use your efforts for His purposes. The key is persistence and trust—doing what you can, and leaving the impossible to God.

CONCLUSION:

Shamgar’s story is a powerful reminder that victory doesn’t come from having the perfect circumstances, the ideal tools, or the most impressive resume. It comes from being faithful to do what we can, where we are, with what we have. Just like Shamgar, Moses, and so many others in Scripture, we are called to take what seems small, weak, or inadequate and place it in God’s hands. When we do, He can turn it into something mighty. Victory is not about avoiding failure, but about being willing to step out, trusting God to do what we cannot.

As you leave today, remember that no act of faith is too small. You may feel like you don’t have what it takes, but God can take what you have—your skills, your time, your obedience—and use it for His glory. So don’t wait for perfect conditions, don’t wait for everything to fall into place—take the first step today. Victory starts with a humble heart, a willingness to use what you have, and a commitment to do what you can.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Father, we thank You for the example of Shamgar, a man who didn’t wait for the perfect moment but stepped out in faith with what he had. We ask that You help us do the same—step forward with what we have, trusting that You will take our small efforts and multiply them for Your kingdom. Help us not to be paralyzed by fear of failure, but to trust You in every circumstance, knowing that You are with us and will provide the strength we need.

Lord, we surrender our weaknesses, our doubts, and our limitations to You today. Use us, just as we are, to accomplish the great things You have planned for us. May we be faithful to do what we can, knowing that You will do what we cannot.

We give You all the glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

LAST WORDS/ BENEDICTION:

As you go from this place today, go with the confidence that God will equip you for every step, empower you for every challenge, and bring victory through your faithfulness. May His grace, peace, and favor rest upon you as you take the next step in the calling He has placed on your life.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.