The ancient warrior Gideon was a commander of God’s army who gathered a sizable force of 32,000 soldiers to go to battle against Midian. Through a series of curious circumstances, God told Gideon to send 31,700 men of his army home like troops being recalled from Afghanistan. Gideon was directed by God to fight with only 300 men!
Gideon took a quick excursion to scope out the enemy and here’s what he saw, “The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore” (Judges 7:12). It sure would have been nice to march into that scene with 32,000 soldiers, but God, 300? “During that night the Lord said to Gideon, ‘Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands’” (Judges 7:9).
Merry Christmas, Gideon. God’s gift to you, in the darkness of your fears, your weaknesses, your certain death at the hands of an overwhelming enemy, is victory. Deliverance. Salvation.
Looking back on this event, the prophet Isaiah praises God 700 years before Jesus was born. His words are cheerful, powerful and declare hope and victory from God for those who believe in him. “As warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor” (Isaiah 9:3,4).
Your darkness is not your master. It doesn’t make the final decisions about your future. Your sins, guilt, and death are not in control of your life. You don’t need to be burdened by them, forced to shuffle fearfully because of no light.
God used these words of prophecy to give hope to his people in Isaiah’s day that he would deliver them just as he did in Gideon’s day. And still does today.
PRAYER: Dear God of victory, when I fear defeat, remind me that you are mighty to save. Make me more confident in your powerful promises. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Listen to the song “See a Victory” https://youtu.be/AI3VcChbPBY