THE ENEMY OF TRUST

THE ENEMY OF TRUST

READ:
Judges 7:2-8

The LORD said to Gideon,
"The people who are with you
are too many." - Judges 7:2

Military commanders always want to have enough troops to accomplish their mission.  Most would prefer having too many not too few, but not everyone agrees on just how many troops will be enough.

When Gideon recruited an army of 32,000 men to stand against those who oppressed the Israelites, the Lord told him, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me'" (Judges 7:2).

So the Lord began to reduce Gideon's army.  When the fearful were allowed to leave, 22,000 men went home (v.3).  A second reduction cut the force from the remaining 10,000 to 300 troops, of whom the Lord said, "By the three hundred...I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand" (v.7).  And so it happened (vv. 19-23).

In our life of faith, our resources can become the enemy of trust.  God wants us to depend on Him, not our own strength, whether physical, financial, or intellectual.

When the Lord reduces our resources from "32,000 to 300," it is not punishment.  It is preparation for Him to be glorified through our lives as we acknowledge and trust His power. -David McCasland

Trust in God and you will know
He can vanquish any foe;
Simply trust Him day by day-
He will be your strength and stay. -D. De Haan
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When God gives us an impossible task-
it becomes possible.

INSIGHT
Gideon showed remarkable growth in his faith.  When God first asked him to deliver Israel from the Midianites, he requested multiple signs as evidence of God's protection (Judges 6:11-39).  Convinced of this protection, Gideon obeyed God and trimmed his fighting men from 32,000 to 300.  God validated Gideon's faith by defeating the Midianites with his much smaller army.

Have a blessed day
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace