09/20/2019
The Lord used the few to conquer the many in the story of Gideon’s three hundred men. He first used Gideon’s own fear as He sent him with his servant Purah to hide at the outskirts of the massive camp of Midian, and spy on them. Then God showed Gideon how to defeat Midian’s army by using their own great fear against them. God understands our fears, but more than that He understands the deep seated fears of our enemies. What are our fears, and can God use them to do His will? Can He use our few to defeat the many?
“Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!" Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled.”
Judges 7:20-21 ESV
Gideon was afraid to attack the camp of Midian because there were so many men there, but God took advantage of this fear and sent him to spy outside their camp. Gideon understood fear because he was feeling it himself, so when God showed him the fear of Midian’s men he knew exactly what God wanted him to do... use that fear to route them, and divide this great army.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”
Psalms 27:1-3 ESV
God took Gideon’s fear and used it to his advantage. We refer to such a fear as having “a healthy fear.” When we are cautious, or fearful of danger, this serves to protect us... it is a “healthy fear.” But, when our fear overcomes us, that is something altogether different, it is called a “consuming fear.” Have you ever had a “healthy fear” of something that kept you from harm? How about a “consuming fear” that debilitated you, made you run away, and become easy prey for your enemies? Well, when we are on the verge of a “consuming fear” then God, or His angels, will speak to us saying “Fear Not!” Over and over again in the 41st chapter of Isaiah God encourages Israel, and us, against fear...
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.”
Isaiah 41:10-11 ESV
And...
“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you." Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 41:13-14 ESV
When we are sent as missionaries, or to otherwise do God’s work we are often confronted by our fear; the question becomes one of degree. Is our fear healthy, or is it overwhelming? Will God use it to show us how to succeed, or will our fear consume us. What will be our response when He says...
“But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant.”
Judges 7:10 ESV
I am already afraid, and yet you want me to go down there with just one man? This seems counterintuitive doesn’t it? If we are afraid we would expect God to sooth our fears by giving us more. When the army we face has many men we want more men ourselves, and yet we see here that God sent Gideon out with fewer. First to spy with just one servant, and then to conquer with only 300 men against an overwhelming army. In fact, God could have defeated this large army without Gideon’s help at all, but this became a lesson in trusting God... not in how to win a battle. It was a study in the realization that God is sufficient for us. We hear this in the New Testament too..The apostle Paul quotes Jesus, and then says a very similar thing about his own weakness... his own “less.”
“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
So, are we heathy, or consumed by our fear when God speaks His will, and reveals His plan to us? Will we trust Him with our less, and allow Him to do great things with the little we have? Who in this Bible story do we act like... Gideon, or the army of Midian?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your steadfastness, and amazing strength. Thank you Lord for showing us that you are sufficient, and can do all things. Help us to see clearly that our battles in life are not so much about winning them, but about trusting in you completely. You create with a single word, and redeem us with the blood of your only begotten Son... teach us to trust in your perfect provision, and to know that you will give us those things necessary to do your will, despite our fear. Calm our great fears so that they will not overcome us, and so that we can do your will rather than feeling that what you have asked is too great for us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who goes before us in all things, and defeats all obstacles. Praised be your name for providing for us in seemingly impossible situations, and for using our healthy fear to show us your great wisdom... revealing the consuming fear in our enemies, and delivering them into our hands. You show us mercy, and pour your love over us from a vessel of grace. You save all men through one, and defeat death by His having died. All glory is yours Holy Father, and in you is our love, and trust forevermore.
Rich Forbes