Have you ever been asked to do something that you felt so incapable of and then you passed it on to someone else? You were feeling incompetent or afraid to do it. Well, you are not alone, Gideon did it too. He said his clan was the weakest and he was the least in his entire family when the Lord sent him to rescue Israelites from the Midianites. This was probably the reality but the truth was that God had called him as in Judges 6:12 “a mighty hero and He was with him”. That was the defining factor! Bible heroes are ordinary people who put their faith in an extraordinary God! It is so amazing to have such a great assurance from the Lord! Remember He is with you in your current situation whatever it may be!
There are two situations Gideon asked the Lord for confirmation; first time when he had to destroy the idols and the second time when he had to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites and God was gracious and provided signs. When Gideon obeyed and destroyed the idols God actually gave him a new name. His name meant great warrior!
Have you ever asked the Lord for a sign when He asked you to do something? He is always gracious to do it. But it would be so much faster when we take Him at his word by faith as He speaks. The amazing thing is that He is gracious enough to provide when we ask Him. The army of 22,000 was first reduced to 10,000 and then to 300 with strategy. There is always a reason when we listen to God when He speaks. He knows how to meet his children at their point of need. The Lord asked Gideon to reduce the warriors to 300 because he had told Gideon in Judges 7:7 – He would rescue Israel and give them victory. Although the Midianites were like a swarm of locusts, and their camels like grains of sand on the seashore, too many to count. That did not bother Him. When He is our battle fighter enemy numbers don’t scare Him!
The Lord’s strategy revealed to Gideon exactly what to do. What an awesome God we serve! He knows how to direct us in the midst of our enemies. Only 300 men were divided in 3 groups, each man with a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it, to blow the horn and shout, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon”. The Israelites watched the Midianites rush around in panic, shouting as they ran to escape. The Midianites fought against each other with their own swords. What a sight to behold! Those who were not killed fled far away. The Israelites captured their commanders and killed them. They used the Word of God as their weapon to win this battle! We have that strategy available to us too!
Dear Lord, Please keep me firmly anchored to Jesus when I’m in the heat of battles. Help me to study and know your Word and use it effectively as my weapon when the enemy comes to attack me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Reflection: Success in spiritual warfare requires that we trust God and have faith in Him alone to win the battle. God’s strategy always succeeds.
Go deeper: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God and my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” Psalm 18:2
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