February 22 – Judges 7:9-18

February 22 – Judges 7:9-18

9  That same night the LORD said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand.  10  But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant.  11  And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp.  12  And the Midianites

and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.  13  When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.”  14  And his comrade answered, “This is no other

than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.”15  As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the LORD has given the host of

Midian into your hand.”  16  And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars.  17  And he said to them, “Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do.  18  When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon.’”

 

God did not condemn Gideon for his fear.  Instead, He gave him directions to help strengthen him.  Through a series of events that God provided in these scriptures, Gideon regained his trust and faith and he and his 300 men marched bravely into battle with the Lord as their strength and by their sides.  Are you trusting God to march by your side, to be with you always or even carry you through your battles, storms, struggles and trials?  He’s with you….always!  “And lo, I am with you always.”  Love, Jesus.

 

Oh Dear Father, You are so good to give us love, patience and direction.  I can’t imagine what it must have been like for them to go to battle with empty jars, torches and trumpets.  Where were the weapons?  Who needs a weapon when You are on their side?  How we forget that You can push aside our enemies with just a thought.  How easy it is for me to put You in a box and limit what I think You can do, but You created the world in just six days.  I mean created…from nothing!!!  You can do anything and everything.  Why do I forget that?  Why is it so easy for me to think with limitations?  You have no limits.  Help me to remember how amazing You are.  Help me remember what You have already done as well as the promises You have given us.  I believe, help me with my unbelief. 

 

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!