“Moreover the people of Ammon crossed over the Jordan to fight against Judah also, against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was severely distressed” (Judges 10:9, NKJV).
Ammon had been used by God to correct Israel’s sins (see Judges 10:6-8). Now their army was marching toward Israel. God’s people were perplexed and depressed and they began to confess their sins. “Then the children of Israel said to the Lord, ‘We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems best to you; only deliver us this day, we pray’” (Judges 10:15).
The people were so haunted by their sin that they couldn’t conceive of asking God for anything more than to spare them. Theirs was the simplest of prayers: “Lord, deliver us just this one time. Don’t let us be defeated or overrun by our enemy.”
They prayed for a single victory, but God had something more in mind. He poured out his blessing upon them. Not only did Israel get protection, they got the upper hand.
“So Jephthah advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them, and the Lord delivered them into his hands. And he defeated them from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and . . . the people of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel” (Judges 11:32-33).
In addition to the deliverance they had asked for, God gave them the courage and direction to defeat the Ammonites. They were never troubled by them again; it was total victory.
That is just how God wants to answer his people today. Most Christians pray, “Lord, just give me victory in this one battle.” However, the Lord responds, “I will give you that, yet I have much more in store for you.” He wants to give you power to not only overcome but to subdue every enemy. He will help you to not just conquer sin but to be more than a conqueror; not simply to have life but life more abundantly; not to merely have joy but joy unspeakable and full of glory; not to be free of fear just for a day, a week or a month—but all the days of your life.