Scripture to Read: Judges 7:1–25
God will never share His glory with anyone. What God teaches us in Judges 7 today is that through His strength and power the impossible becomes possible. We need to remember that the Abiezrites, along with the Israelites from Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, had all come to follow Gideon into battle against the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the sons from the east. So, in Judges 7:2, the Lord said to Gideon…, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’” God planned to thin the ranks. God knew the Israelites and He wanted them to see that when victory came, it was by His hand and His hand alone. The Israelites who came to do battle originally numbered 22,000 men. By the time God was done thinning the ranks, they were down to 300 men. Gideon may have been wondering why God would thin the ranks by so many. God does not tell us this, but God did have a plan to build Gideon’s confidence. So, in Judges 7:9–15, we read how God told Gideon to sneak into the enemy’s camp and listen to what they say, “and afterward your hands will be strengthened that you may go down against the camp” (Judges 7:11). Gideon did as the Lord commanded. When he heard how fearful their enemies were, he bowed in worship. Then, he went back and told the 300 men that the Lord had given the Midianites into their hands. God brought the victory.
Challenge & Application
What all did God do to get Gideon to the point of relying on Him and Him alone?
How has God taught you to rely on Him and Him alone when you wanted to rely on yourself and others?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!