Judges 7
In Judges 7, God assembled the army that will defeat the Midianites and Amalekites, who oppressed Israel.
Gideon and the army of Israel were encamped facing the enemy. The Lord told Gideon that he had too many people with him. Israel was inconsistent in their faithfulness and God knew their response to victory would point to themselves and not to God, who provided the victory.
God kept the portion of the army that would not take safety precautions and bring stress to the leader of an army. The ones who were careful with their actions were sent home, leaving 300 men to conquer several thousand. It wasn’t their battle and God wanted to make sure the nation of Israel understood who brought the victory.
Here are a couple thoughts for us today.
We cannot face our enemy without following God. In verses 1-9, God positioned Israel in direct sight of their enemy and the ask them to follow. Israel’s role in the battle was obedience. They needed to trust God enough to let God bring victory his way. Personally, I struggle with my role at times. I want to see the end result too quickly and want to take matters into my own hands. Israel needed to trust God fully to see the victory. If you believe your enemy is another person, spend some time in Ephesians 6.
Be careful not to steal credit that belongs to God. The original army was 32,000 men. In verses 2-8, God reduced the army by 99%. He had the right amount of people to make sure the credit that was his remained with him. When we accomplish something great, we can easily take the credit even though it doesn’t belong to us. God is sovereign over all things and deserve the credit and glory.
When God brings a victory into our life, we should worship Him. In verse 15, God allowed Gideon to hear a glimpse of his plan. Gideon could taste the victory that was coming. He worshipped. Worshipping God should be a default response when God brings victory into our life.
Recognize that God’s strength allows victories that are not possible by human strength. Israel had to acknowledge that God brought this victory. They stood around the camp with torches, swords, and loud noise. They didn’t fight another person. Unlike the Midianites, they were not fearful or confused. They were obedient to the mission God had for them that night.
Three things fear does to a follower of Jesus (vv 21-25)
Fear and confusion forces people to come against their team. Fellow Christians, we’re on the same team. We should exhibit more of the strength found in Israel than the fear found in Midian.
Fear and confusion forces people to run away. Fellow Christians, it’s okay that we disagree on a few matters in life. Those matters don’t remove the cross of Jesus Christ. They don’t remove the Sovereignty of God. They don’t remove the love that we are called to spill into other people. Allow your heart to break over what breaks God’s heart. Don’t avoid people who disagree with you.
Fear and confusion distracts us from God’s mission in our life. Fellow Christians, we cannot live in fear and live in the center of God’s mission. It’s impossible. Decide today that you will press forward into God’s mission more than you will press forward in to fear and disunity that runs through our country.
Let's press forward into God's mission together.