Victory as an act of God

God is the source of all victory

Deuteronomy 20:1–4 NIV

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

See also 2 Ch 20:15; Ps 18:35; 1 Co 15:57; 2 Co 2:14

Victory is achieved by God, not people

Psalm 20:7–8 NIV

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

See also 1 Sa 17:45–47; Ps 44:3–7; Ps 60:11–12; Ps 146:3; Pr 21:31

Victory should be ascribed to God

Psalm 118:15 NIV

Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!

See also Ex 15:1; Ps 21:1; 1 Co 15:57; Re 19:1–2

Victory depends on faithfulness

God grants victory to those who are faithful to him

1 Chronicles 22:13 NIV

Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

See also Ex 23:20–23; Ps 112:8; Pr 2:7

Unfaithfulness to God brings defeat

Numbers 14:41–43 NIV

But Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the Lord’s command? This will not succeed! Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies, for the Amalekites and the Canaanites will face you there. Because you have turned away from the Lord, he will not be with you and you will fall by the sword.”

See also Dt 28:15; Dt 28:25; 2 Ch 24:20

Examples of God giving victory

Ex 17:8–15 to Israel over the Amalekites

To Joshua at Jericho:

Jos 6:2–5; Jos 6:20

Jdg 7:15–22 to Gideon over the Midianites; Jdg 15:12–19 to Samson over 1,000 Philistines; 1 Sa 7:7–12 to the Israelites at Mizpah; 1 Sa 17:38–50 to David over Goliath; 1 Ki 18:36–39 to Elijah at Mount Carmel; 1 Ch 11:4–9 when David conquered Jerusalem

God is able to work through defeat

Genesis 50:20 NIV

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

See also Jdg 16:24; Jdg 16:30; Ro 8:28; 2 Co 4:7–12; 2 Co 12:7–10

God is able to fulfil his purposes through the victory of unbelievers

Isaiah 44:28–45:4 NIV

who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.” ’ “This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.

See also Is 41:25; Is 45:13; Eze 33:27–29 This is how Ezekiel is to explain Babylon’s victory over Jerusalem; Ac 2:36; Ac 3:17–18