February 21 – Judges 7:1-8

February 21 – Judges 7:1-8

7 Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

2  The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’  3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. 4  And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.”  5  So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps,

you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.”  6  And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.  7  And the LORD said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all

the others go every man to his home.”  8  So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

 

I remember saying recently, “we are small in number, but mighty in strength and faith” to a group of ladies.  These verses remind me of that.  God dwindled the number of men to fight the battle against the Midianites so all would know that it was God who provided the mighty victory. 

 

God is a God who loves you so much that He longs for you to do well, succeed and receive victories.  I love the hymn “Victory in Jesus”.  Indeed all our love is due Him.  Will you turn you eyes upon Jesus and share your love daily as you fall in love with Him more and more each day? 

 

Heavenly Father, I think about these verses and know there are so many times I take credit for something You have done.  Not intentionally, but because I forget that everything I have, is Yours, and everything I can do, is because of You.  If I do something and find success, it is because You allowed the success and gave me the gift to do what I did.  I am noting without You.  Gideon was probably beside himself thinking about going against the enemy with only 300 men, but when we have You on our side, nothing can stop us.  I am so grateful that You are on my side.  I can’t imagine how people get through a single day without You.  On good days, You give me the ability to laugh and smile.  On bad days You remind me I am not alone.  Every single day is better because You are with me.

Thank You for never leaving me, no matter what. 

 

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!