READ: Judges
6:33 – 7:25
The time has come for Gideon to rise up to the
Lord’s call. The Midianites and their allies have gathered in Jezreel, and the
Spirit of the Lord comes over Gideon, filling him with courage and zeal, and
empowering him to muster up an army from four of the tribes. Yet even with the
Lord clearly on his side, Gideon struggles with doubt and unbelief. Though he
received a clear sign when his offering was burned up before the angel of the
Lord, he now asks for two more signs! God is merciful and allows Gideon his
requests, proving both times that He will surely help Gideon to win the battle.
Gideon’s story is an example of how God works alongside us in our fears and
weaknesses. He is not angry at our shortcomings, but He wants to lead us into a
place of deeper trust.
What happens next is a true test of faith for
Gideon. With an army of 32,000 he sets out to attack the Midianites. But while
encamped at the spring of Harod, God whittles his army down to a mere 300 men!
God is going to do things His own way. His greater purpose in this victory is
His own glory – that those who see Gideon’s army win this battle will know that
it was the Lord God of Israel who gave the Midianites into Gideon’s hand. Gideon
wasn’t appointed to leadership because of some deep inner strength hidden
somewhere inside himself. God wasn’t there to inspire Gideon to “find himself”
within. Gideon was nothing without the Lord; on his own he had no might or
courage. God called him “mighty man of valour” because He knew what Gideon could do with God’s might and God’s power
working through Him. And it seems
that Gideon has learned something through his encounters with God because we
don’t even hear him question the Lord here; those whom God tells him to send
home he sends home.
God is so merciful to Gideon. Though Gideon has
been obedient, God sees the fear that lingers in his heart and sends him to
listen in on a conversation between two Midianite soldiers. Gideon is so
encouraged that he worships the Lord right there and then runs back to camp
with a battle plan. The attack that ensues is quite remarkable. The plan is
bizarre: 300 men blowing trumpets and smashing jars to defeat an army that is
so huge it is likened to the sand on the seashore! But it works! In fact, the
Midianite army turns against itself and the soldiers start attacking one
another! The battle is indeed the Lord’s!
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. The passages you read today declare truths about
God’s character: He is merciful, He is mighty, He is sovereign, etc. Spend some
time meditating on what you read today and ask God to reveal more about Himself
to you. Thank God for who He is. Thank Him that you can trust Him to be these
things all the time.
2. Our culture is quick to tell us that we have
everything we need inside of us, that
we have power within to accomplish anything we want to do. Certainly God has
gifted His children in many wonderful ways, but if we are to do the work of the
kingdom, we’re going to need a lot more than the power within ourselves!
a. Ask God to show you how you have relied on your
own strength to accomplish something. Confess your lack of dependence and ask
God to show you what His way is in
this situation.
3. The words of the prophet Isaiah ring true
through Gideon’s battle: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways My ways” (Is 55:8-9). His thoughts and ways are higher than ours.
a. Meditate on this. What does it mean to say that
God’s ways and thoughts are higher than
ours?
b. What is troubling you today? Ask God to give you
His higher perspective.
