Village Schools of the Bible

RASCALS USED BY GOD
A Devotional Study of Judges
by Max Frazier, Jr.

A FAITH THAT PRODUCES A VICTORY
Judges 7:1-25

Gideon has finally ascertained the definitive will of God. Through the fleece, he has understood that God is not about to change His plans. That God is serious about using Gideon as His instrument to deliver the people of God from the hands of the Midianites.

Gideon proceeds by issuing a call for men to join him in this fight. And, as a result of his efforts, thirty two thousand men rally to his side. Although that number sounds impressive, we must remember that the Word tells us that the Midianites, the Amalekites, and all the other eastern people had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore (Judges 7:12). Some Bible scholars estimate the combined strength of these enemy forces at 135,000 men. So, already Gideon is outnumbered by about four to one. Not great odds, but doable.

Suddenly, God tells Gideon that he is to allow those men who really did not want to fight to return to their homes. Can you imagine the horrors upon the face of our fearful leader when 22,000 men picked up their spears and went home. Gideon's army was whittled down to a third of its size. The odds now had increased to thirteen to one. I am sure that Gideon may have been thinking to himself, "How do you spell defeat?"

But God is still not happy with the size of the army. He next commands Gideon to test the resolve of those who remained. The test is administered and only three hundred men pass. Gideon is now faced with the incredible task of defeating an army which outnumbers him by odd of four hundred and fifty to one. You see, God's concern was that Israel might take credit for the victory, and God wanted all the glory for Himself. So, He created the impossible odds, so that neither Gideon, nor his army, nor the people of the land could boast. They would have to give all praise to God.

Gideon now set the dangers which his small army might face on one hand and all of God's promises in his other hand. And Gideon knew that God's promises out weighed the dangers. Therefore, he led his men into the camp of Midian full of confidence that God would be victorious. And God honored this faith of Gideon in a miraculous way. The Midianites were routed and God's people were delivered.

Friends, God honors a faith that rests upon God. Take some time today to read through Hebrews 11. There you will visit the lives of men and women whose faith God honored in a special way. Then, take a few moments to remember those men and women whose faith in God inspired and encouraged you in your walk with the Lord. Then praise God for their memory and ask God to increase your faith so that He might use you to impact the lives of others.

Father, What an incredible demonstration of Gideon's faith and Your awesome power in response to that faith. I am reminded that Jesus told His disciples and us that if we had the faith the size of a mustard seed, we could remove mountains. Lord, help me today to have more faith. Help me to trust You more. Help me to lean not upon my own understanding, but to acknowledge You in all my ways. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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