Often we are faced with what appears to be impossible situations. But how do we handle these? Do we run away from them? Do we run to a professional in the field? Or do we simply call on the Lord and ask for His wisdom and His miraculous touch to our overwhelming problem? Let’s see if Gideon’s actions in today’s Scripture may help us.
DATE POSTED Friday, 2021-09-17
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL
BY: Ed Algreen
SCRIPTURE FROM: Judges 7:11-15
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)
BIBLE TEXT: 11 Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.” So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. 12 The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! 13 Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, “I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!” 14 His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!”
15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord…..
APPLICATION: Earlier in the chapter we could see where Gideon was no different to most of us, in that he was complaining about where might the miraculous working God be who protected his ancestors and provided everything needed by them as they journeyed through the wilderness. We hear similar stories about our forefathers and how God cared so much for them, and we might wonder ‘well, where is He now?’. But God appeared to Gideon and told him that he should take care of the enemies who were approaching his people in large numbers. Gideon asked for, and received proof that it was God. He gathered up a large army and headed out to do what God told him to do. Although proud of the great army Gideon had assembled, God wanted to prove that it was Him doing the work and not a feeble army presented by Gideon. So he reduced the 32,000 men to 300. As Gideon looked over the opposing army and saw the unlimited number of soldiers and animals that they had, he asked for more proof from God. Now before you ridicule Gideon, I believe that you will agree that he had every reason to tremble in his boots. But Almighty God gave him proof as he slipped in near enough to the enemy’s tents and overheard a conversation that aligned exactly with what God had told him. Friends, our God is all powerful and not only knows what we need, but He also knows how to win our battles and give us victory. Sure we may be going through horrible diseases that are impacting the whole world, and that no one truly seems to have a handle on, but I would encourage you to place your faith and trust in the One who could win this battle for us. Did God show us enough faith yet, that would give us the confidence in believing that He has the answer, and the ability to make things right for us? I would suggest that you think about the battle won in our story today; I would further suggest that you remember what God did for the Israelites during their 40-year journey from slavery, to the new Promised Land; I would suggest that you remind yourself of the miracles performed in the New Testament; and I would suggest that you always remember that God made the ultimate sacrifice in sending His Son, Jesus, so that we might be with them in glory when we pass from this world to the next. You see, regardless of what happens, or no matter what God decides to do about our earthly dilemmas, we must always remember that our eternal home awaits our arrival! Many family and friends have lost the battle to Covid, and only One knows whether we will live through this, but for the child of God, we have a hope, we have a joy, we have a promise, and we have a home awaiting us that far exceeds anything we could ask or imagine! So like Paul said: to live is Christ, but to die is gain! So be Christ in the flesh while here on earth, but joy comes in the morning as we gain our heavenly wings and meet with our Father and His Son! A much better way than anything we could enjoy here on earth!
BLESSING(S) NOTED: Gideon had gathered a very large army, but God showed him, and us, that He could fight our battles for us with His power alone! Praise God He can still do that!
PRAYER: Lord, there is so much going on in this old world, that it seems to be totally out of control. No matter who each country elects to rule them, we acknowledge that we are powerless without You. We have been given many examples of how You overcame great obstacles in order to protect Your people and show Your love for all of us. Oh that we will be reminded of this through today’s Scripture and renew a right spirit with You right in the middle of our mind’s impossibilities. Have Your way dear Lord. We know that we are safe in the arms of Jesus, no matter what happens here on earth. Please keep us near the cross, for there’s a precious fountain of love, purity and eternal bliss that resides there. For us, there seems to be no way. But with You Lord, we know that all things are possible! Praise Your holy name! AMEN!