Everything He Needed
Opening Prayer
What do you need today? Ask God to help you trust that he will supply all your needs (Phil. 4:19).
Read JUDGES 7:15-24
[15] When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The LORD has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” [16] Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside. [17] “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. [18] When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon.'” [19] Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. [20] The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” [21] While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. [22] When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. [23] Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. [24] Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How did God give the victory to Gideon and his army?Do you sometimes use the word “need” when you actually mean “I’d really like” or “I want”? I know that I can easily slip into misuse of the word, thinking (or saying) things such as, “I really need a new phone/laptop etc.,” as though these things were completely essential. God had a checklist of Gideon’s needs: obedience (check), the Holy Spirit (check), 300 men (check) and last, encouragement (check). Now we see Mighty Warrior Stage IV, a man who worships, and proclaims victory in faith before he does anything else (15). He devises a cunning plan to launch the attack in the strength he has (see 6:14): 300 men, trumpets, jars and torches. There is no indication in Scripture that God gave Gideon this plan. It is the work of a resourceful commander who improvises, adapts and (with God’s help) overcomes. God does the real fighting and Gideon does not hesitate to attribute victory to God. Notice, however, that God does nothing until Gideon and his men take action: “When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused…” (22). God sets the task before us and moves in power when we move in faith.
Apply
Have you put off a challenge because there’s something you need first? Begin and see God take care of the rest.
Closing prayer
Mighty Lord, I know You can win any battle I face. Give me both the wisdom and the faith I need.
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