Lessons In the Waiting: A Gideon Style Victory
When you think of Spring 2020 words like pandemic, quarantine, Covid 19 and toilet paper hoarding might come to mind. Yet through all the chaos and uncertainty there are many lessons to be learned in the waiting. This time is a gift from our loving God.
Today I was re-reading the Lessons In the Waiting that I’ve been given and at first glance I notice that my faith has been wavering back and forth. One day I feel strong and grounded in the Lord and the next I feel like I’m floundering. But today He gave a glimpse of what He is orchestrating which is a Gideon Style Victory.
When the angel of the Lord called Gideon he found him threshing grain at a winepress. Basically he was hiding from his enemies. But the angel of the Lord said to Gideon, “The Lord is with you mighty warrior.” At that moment Gideon didn’t seem or feel like a mighty warrior, but God saw him differently.
Gideon had doubts even after his meeting with the angel and asked God for proof that He was with him. The Lord was patient with him and gave him the signs that he had asked for and once they were given, He gave him clear directions on what he was called to do, deliver the Israelites by battling their enemies.
In Judges 7:12 we discover that the army they were going up against had settled in the valley, thick as locusts and their camels could no more be counted than the sands on the seashore.
Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men to fight but the Lord had other plans. He told them there were too many. If the battle was won with the large army they would claim that it was in their own power and not by the hand of God, so the Lord reduced their numbers to 10,000. Again the Lord said, “There are still too many men,” and the numbers we reduced again until only 300 remained.
As you can imagine with the reduction in resources Gideon needed further encouragement from God that he would experience a victory over his enemies, which again, God provided.
In re-readying my Lessons In the Waiting I saw that Gideon and I have a lot in common. Daily it seems that my resources are being taken away, but I don’t need to fear because God is going to provide a Gideon Style Victory.
Instead of being full of fear I can be filled with anticipation and wonder at what God has in store. Obviously I don’t need the things He has taken away and the removal of those things is proof that God is up to something good!
In this season of waiting I’m sure that you have experienced a reduction in your resources as well. But just like Gideon we are called to be Mighty Warriors and trust that God has a reason and purpose in mind.
We have God’s continual encouragement through prayer, His word and other believers. So let’s watch and wait with holy expectation at the Gideon Style Victory that God is orchestrating in our lives.
My Prayer
Father I thank You for the encouragement I received today through Your word. Lord this will be Your victory. Help me continue to step out and trust that no matter how I see the challenges ahead, You are already there holding the victory in Your mighty hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
1 Samuel 14:6
Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.
1 Samuel 17:47
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.