Introduction

Numbers Chapter 20 is a very interesting chapter. What makes it interesting? The Israelites consistently failed the test of accessing water. People have a characteristic: if they fail a remedial exam, they have to retake it. The Israelites retook the test multiple times. In fact, by Numbers Chapter 20, it wasn't the first time the Israelites faced a lack of water. The problems the Israelites encountered were varied. From the Exodus to this day, which problem did God not solve? Was it really necessary to complain?

Why is this book called Numbers? Because it records how many people died. Why record the deaths of such people? Because they disliked victory. To all the brothers and sisters among us today, I offer a suggestion: you can choose to be a slave, or you can choose to be a victor. If you don't have a victorious character and live a life without victory, I can only give you two words: you deserve it.

God is a God Who Tests People

If I don't have a victorious character and live a miserable life, I deserve it. Why? Because God's promise stands firm in the heavens, giving us repeated opportunities for remedial exams, but we just can't pass them! If you're taking a driving test and can't pass the first subject, you can't take the second. But the Israelites consistently failed on the issue of drinking water. The first time there was no water, they complained; the second time, they complained again. This third time, couldn't they think about the previous two times when they complained, and Moses prayed to God, and God produced water? Trusting in God is better than complaining! Why should I complain? Complaining makes God unhappy, makes me unhappy, makes Moses unhappy, makes everyone unhappy. Encountering a situation without water, why not believe that God will provide water? Why insist on complaining?

God gave the Israelites many opportunities, again and again allowing them to overcome, but they kept retaking the first subject. This time, God said, I'll give you a chance to retake the test, let's see if you can overcome. As a result, the water was gone. Do you know what it feels like to have no water, with your throat burning? It's really uncomfortable. Every brother and sister in this spiritual battle, or in the exams and trials God has prepared for us, are not very comfortable. Where is there comfort? If it's comfortable, it's not an exam!

I was a top student, and in the past, I wasn't afraid of exams. But after each exam, I felt like I had lost a layer of skin. Don't think exams are fun; they're not. Every exam peels off a layer of your skin. When I took my driving test, I had to take subjects one, two, three, and four. Before subject one, I studied the questions very carefully every day. What happened? When I got to the exam, the proctor saw that I had completed half the test, answered fifty questions. I didn't know that if I got something wrong, it would turn red. I kept clicking, wondering if the answer was correct, but there was no color change. The proctor said, What are you doing? Are you trying to get a perfect score? It turned out I had answered everything correctly.

What am I trying to say? We must prepare for every exam. God not only tests the Israelites but also tests Moses and Aaron. This test is troublesome. Is it a mule or a horse? Bring it out for a walk. As soon as you walk it, it has diarrhea. Let me tell you a joke: some time ago, there was a brother from Fujian among us who had a problem with constipation. When I was preaching, I said, Is it a mule or a horse? Bring it out for a walk. As soon as you walk it, it has diarrhea. He said, That's great, finally I can go. That's not what I meant. I meant that when it comes to working, they can't do it. When they have diarrhea, their legs go weak. How can they work? They can't work. If they keep failing the exams, what rewards can they get?

Our God often tests us. When He tests us, I encourage you not to drop the ball. Don't drop the ball at the critical moment. The reward for victory is wonderful! You say, No water to drink, is it uncomfortable? Yes, it is. Tell God it doesn't matter. My God will definitely bring water before I die. Isn't death still far away? Why complain?

What does the Book of Numbers record? At the beginning, every tribe was counted by those who could wield a sword in battle. Later chapters record these people dying one after another, all dying in the wilderness. Why did they die in the wilderness? Because they always failed the exams.

You must know for certain that the Jesus Christ we believe in, where did He come from? He came from the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Do you think God didn't test Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Of course He did. Abraham went down to Canaan and said so beautifully, I will give you this land. But as soon as he said it, there was a famine. Who likes famine? I don't. When the famine comes, whatever you plant doesn't grow. It's really tragic! Whether there will be food and drink next year is unknown! But Abraham did not complain.

Complaining is a very corrupting habit in a person's life. He went down to Egypt, and in Egypt, he encountered another misfortune. His wife was taken by Pharaoh, but he didn't complain. Later, his wife was returned intact. What happened? Pharaoh rewarded Abraham with many things. Others encounter famine and suffer, with no harvest. Abraham encountered famine but turned it into a good opportunity to make money. Whether making money is honorable, we won't argue about that. If you're a sister, don't argue with me about this. Abraham lived more than four thousand years ago, and we can't bring him back to question how he could treat his wife like that. We don't care about that. What I care about is whether you are victorious or not.

God often tests us. Today, I want to challenge all the brothers and sisters. Is our God a sovereign God? Yes! Our God can govern the universe. Can't He govern our lives? If our God does not permit it, not a single hair will fall. If it falls, it's because God allows it. What does God want to do when He allows things to happen? He wants you to be victorious! All our brothers and sisters must rise up to fight and be victorious, trampling on the demonic enemy, becoming victorious soldiers. You cannot but experience God's promise.

The Israelites still haven't learned this spiritual lesson. I really hope that every brother and sister among us won't be foolish. When God's test comes, they think they're going to die, and they quarrel with Moses. Fortunately, our brothers and sisters have never quarreled with me.

God is Training His Army

The people quarreled with Moses and said, If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain, or figs, grapevines, or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink! (Numbers 20:3-5)

What nonsense is this? You want to die, but you're afraid of running out of water? Are the words of the Israelites facts? Yes. The words of the Israelites are indeed facts, but they forgot one thing: who is directing this play? It is our God who is directing this play, so that the Israelites can become a victorious people.

Which country's army has not experienced arduous training? If a country trains its army but is afraid of making the soldiers suffer, won't these troops become cannon fodder when they actually go to war? When the Kuomintang and the Communist Party fought in the past, the Communist Party, led by our great leader Chairman Mao, drove the Kuomintang, led by Chiang Kai-shek, to the small island of Taiwan.

I read a book written by someone, I don't know who, saying that after Chiang Kai-shek grew old and experienced the Korean War, he thought the Korean War would bring a good opportunity for the Kuomintang to counterattack the mainland. He didn't expect the American-led allied forces to be defeated by China's backward weapons on the Korean battlefield. At that time, there was almost no air force, no air superiority, but they were able to defeat the United Nations forces led by the United States. Chiang Kai-shek sighed to the heavens, and his dream of counterattacking the mainland was completely shattered. Then he said that Chairman Mao was impressive and the pride of the Chinese people. I also think that Chairman Mao was really impressive. Why? Being able to win in such an environment is really not easy.

Everyone, never forget one thing: victory. The New Testament is about building a victorious church. Why is the church not victorious? Because there is a large group of people in the church like the congregation of Israel. The congregation of Israel was very capable of stoning Moses. They were also very capable of stoning Joshua and Caleb. But when it came to stoning giants, they dropped the ball. What kind of character is this? What kind of people are these? Don't be such a person. They were very capable of killing their own brothers, but they had no ability to kill the devil.

My pastor once said that many members of the church today are unable to cast out demons, but they are very capable of driving out the pastor. What are you doing? Never forget victory. The New Testament is about building a victorious church. How is a victorious church built? It is because God constantly removes these unvictorious people from the church. Do you want to be one of those who are removed? The Book of Numbers records these people who were counted, who should have been able to take swords and guns to fight, who should have been able to claim God's promise and enter the Promised Land. But they were afraid to fight, they didn't like arduous training, they only liked living a comfortable life, and they were killed one after another.

Not having a victorious character is very fatal. In any case, have a victorious character. I thank God, whether God made me this way or whether it was my later choice. I am determined to choose victory, to build God's glorious church, to trample on the demonic enemy. God will build us on His rock, and the powers of hell cannot overcome it. God is the head of all things for us, and the church is the body of God, trampling all things underfoot. For example, no water to drink, what is that little test? No water to drink, I just happen to be fasting and praying.

Today, our brothers and sisters must have a victorious character. No food and no drink doesn't matter, but we cannot be without a victorious mind.

The wilderness is not God's grace, nor is it God's plan. God's plan is for you to enter the Promised Land, to be victorious. If you cannot enter the Promised Land because you are afraid of casting out demons and afraid of fighting, then I can only wish you good luck. The Israelites were very difficult. If I were among them, it would be very difficult not to complain. It's really hard to have no water to drink. If a person has a victorious mind, let it be difficult, but I will overcome this test today, at least to pass this test.

Last night, I held a meeting with my employees. A young man walked in, staring with round eyes, and asked me: Why have I been under attack by the devil all these days?. Because he had anxiety, and when this symptom came on, his whole state was very bad. I wanted to ask him why, but he was staring at me with round eyes to question me.

I asked him, Brother, do you want to be like the Israelites, people who die in the wilderness? The problem you have now, I give you two words: you deserve it. Who told you that you don't have a victorious character. You start complaining when you suffer a little, can't you persevere a little more to overcome? For the past six years, you have been on a path of defeat. Today, I am leading you to start walking on a path of victory, but you come to question me? I asked him why he couldn't have a victorious mind. Later, he softened. I gave him a choice. You can choose to continue to follow me on a victorious path, or continue to walk on the path of being oppressed by the devil in Egypt. He said he didn't want to be oppressed by the devil, then he had to have a victorious mind.

Possessing a Triumphant Mindset: Enduring Hardship

God is training us; do not give up when facing different situations. If you are not well-trained, failure on the battlefield is inevitable. Triumph in trials. If you cannot triumph in trials, how can you overcome the giants in Canaan? A friend of mine participated in the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979. Weighing over 80 kilograms, he returned weighing only 40 kilograms. He described being in a pit for a long time in the rain without food. He was an artilleryman. After firing, the enemy's artillery rained down. He would grab the cannon and run.

Once, they had just set up camp when the shells started falling. One of his comrades was terrified of dying. When the bomb hit, he lost his mind and ran wildly on the battlefield. Then, a bomb fell, and he was blown to pieces. He watched his comrade die. You must understand that on the battlefield, those who fear death cannot survive; only those who are not afraid of death can triumph. Do not be afraid. What does it matter if there is no water? What does hardship matter?

Chiang Kai-shek greatly admired the Chinese Communist Party. The army they trained was trained in very difficult circumstances. Our Chinese army is definitely not composed of privileged sons. We admire the achievements of the Chinese army in recent years. Every achievement is the result of not being afraid of hardship and not being afraid of death. Enjoying comfort and luxury only invites bullying. Therefore, we must be strong. Today, we, the Christians of China, must be triumphant Christians in the face of God's trials. In my mindset, if I am to do something, I will be an outstanding person, an outstanding Christian, pursuing excellence and triumph. Even if it is hard, it is nothing great. Living is a simple matter; without triumph, there is death; with triumph, there is a chance to live. Without triumph, you will be suppressed by the devil; with triumph, you will live out God's glory, and God has glorious rewards.

The Test Paper God Gave Moses

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” (Numbers 20:12)

Why did Moses not triumph this time? Many people do not know. God's requirements for Moses were very high. The test was different from the tests for ordinary people. Our God's examination system varies from person to person. If you are a talent, God gives you a test like a talent; if you are an ordinary person, God gives you a test like an ordinary person. Moses never complained about the lack of water. Seeing this group of ugly Israelites, Moses' emotions accumulated in his heart. He thought, Oh, how annoying. Let this group of ugly people die. But this was not the Moses God wanted. Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock, and Moses said, Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock? Actually, Moses was very angry, looking at this group of ugly Israelites, and sighed in his heart: God! Why did you make me do this job? I am annoyed by them! God! Let me die, take me away.

As a result, Moses took the staff and struck the rock twice. If you read carefully, what did God originally say to Moses: Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. As a result, Moses did not tell the rock to yield water. His words were full of complaints: Why should I tell the rock to yield water? You might as well die of thirst, that's probably what he meant. As a result, he took the staff and struck it twice, an emotional outburst. After venting, he failed the final exam. If you fail, can you get a driver's license? God said you cannot lead them in. You must know that God's requirements for us are absolutely not careless. Do you think God is gracious and merciful, and if you fail the exam, it doesn't matter, I will let you pass? There is no such thing.

Therefore, those of us who serve God must serve God with fear and trembling. Whatever God says, we will do. In recent years, it has been really difficult for me to deal with my bad habits. I have had a bad habit since I was born that I have not corrected to this day. What I hate most is stupid people. I have met some stupid people. After serving them, it is like eating feces, really uncomfortable. But I said: God, I must triumph in this area, I cannot accumulate emotions in me like Moses. I must trust God, knowing that my God must be a faithful God, He can always lead His people to the promised land.

Our God has promised us triumph, which is to put to death the evil habits of the body. Removing personal preferences is not the problem, the problem is to put the evil habits to death, so that we can completely do according to God's word. Although you know that doing this is really not easy, it is very interesting.

You say the water issue is over, but God said to Moses and Aaron: You cannot lead these people into the promised land. A Christian cannot fully redeem God's promise, it only depends on whether you triumph, those who triumph get the promise. As a result, the Israelites had to pass through the land of Edom, what if they could not pass?

If you were Moses, how good it would be to lead the entire congregation of Israel to pass through at once. Passing through the land of Edom, the people of Edom just would not let them pass. In Numbers chapter 21, they had to go around. What was originally one mile became ten miles; what was originally one hundred miles became one thousand miles, and all on foot, not by car. This is no joke, it is very hard, can you not be annoyed? Really annoying. If I were Moses, I would ask God, Can't you command the Edomites to let us pass? Are you not the God who controls all things in the universe? If the Edomites don't let us pass, can't you manage them?

We Christians often like to take the easy road, but the difficult road is called triumph. The Edomites will not let you pass, why? Why must you get to this point, the Edomites just will not let you pass, isn't that your own fault? If you never triumph, there will be greater difficulties waiting behind you.

If you read the Bible carefully, you will know our God. Every time you triumph, God says, Bless you. Every time you do not triumph, it is hard to say. For example, Abraham said, Offer your beloved son Isaac to me. If Abraham said to God, This is a bit difficult, what would be the result? The result is completely different.

He offered Isaac, and God said this: I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. Do you want to receive great blessings? If you want to receive great blessings, be a person like Abraham. God just wants to give him what you love most, why? That's just a test. If you triumph, God will greatly bless you, and will surely bless you.

Many Christians cannot receive God's blessings, and there are Edomites blocking the way ahead, what is the reason? It is not triumphing; if you triumph, the road will be smooth; if you do not triumph, the road will always be bumpy. Today, brothers and sisters, my advice to you is not a moral kidnapping, but should be adopted after careful consideration: have a triumphant mindset, and triumph no matter what.

Living is a simple matter, no water doesn't matter, no food doesn't matter, but you cannot be without a triumphant mindset. Can you draw on God's promise? Once you can draw on God's promise, you must triumph in everything. The road to Edom must be opened, the road to the Red Sea must be opened, and the road to the Jordan River must be opened. If you do not have a triumphant mindset, it will be too difficult to triumph on this road.

After Triumph, You Receive the Promise

Brothers and sisters, today you must know exactly what God gives you after triumph, and what God gives you when you do not triumph. For example, facing a cancer patient, leading him out, or just making a gesture. Every time I serve a cancer patient, I feel uncomfortable, because they really have a lot of bad habits.

We must have a triumphant mindset in us, believe that God is full of grace and mercy, God's promise is established in heaven, and we will never give up until we draw on God's promise. God once promised our ancestor Abraham that we have become Abraham's descendants through faith in Jesus. Today, when we face problems, can we have the blood of Abraham and Jacob, have the genes of Abraham and Jacob, and see that no matter how annoying those people are, we still trust God and overcome all the tests, even if we shed tears, we must have a triumphant character.

A Canadian sister asked me: Is it because you are Chinese that you built a triumphant church? This has nothing to do with where you are from, it has a direct relationship with whether people have a triumphant mindset in their hearts. Therefore, today, every brother and sister must inherit this triumphant mindset, rather than being a Christian who dies in the wilderness. It is not that God did not prepare it for you, it is that you walked out yourself.

Today, we must know that what God has prepared for us is a land flowing with milk and honey. The reason why we cannot get the promise is because you do not triumph. Do not be afraid of giants, do not be afraid of difficulties, everything must be trampled under your feet, because you are God's triumphant children. When the New Testament reaches Revelation, what do you see? You see what Revelation says about how those who triumph are, and how those who triumph are.

Conclusion: God Wants Us to Triumph

God's will is for us to triumph. Do you have the faith to draw on the triumph that God gives you? As long as you dare, God will make you triumph, because God's Spirit will drive out the enemy before you. We follow God, and God is in front of us. But even so, God still rewards you and makes you triumph. After triumphing, follow God's footsteps closely, and you will be able to triumph. Is this such a simple triumph? After triumphing, God also has a reward prepared for you, don't you feel gratified? If you cannot achieve such triumph, is it not your own fault to walk the road of the wilderness?

Even in the wilderness, can we triumph again, removing our habit of complaining? Every failure brings a more difficult environment, and every triumph brings great and rich rewards, that is our God. If you know God, and strive to pursue on the road of knowing God, you cannot but receive a reward, I wish you could receive a reward.

May every one of our brothers and sisters be able to tell a lot of stories. In the future, you may hold your grandson, or you may hold your child, and talk about what your grandparents, parents experienced before, and how they overcame it, and received God's blessings. Such a testimony can inspire many people. Today, we are building a triumphant church, because God has long been waiting for us there, God has already prepared triumph for us, we must move forward with a heart that trusts in God, and you will surely receive the result of triumph, triumph is inevitable, not accidental, that is God's promise.

May God bless everyone!