When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the camp of Midian into your hands.” Judges 7:15
Judges 6-8
Written with Hurricane Milton bearing down on Tampa Bay, 10/9/24
God always seems to increase the odds that we won’t be successful—without his miraculous intervention! Through the Spirit, through the Word, through prayer, just like the signs provided to Gideon (consumption of a meal with God’s fire, wet and dry fleeces, overhearing a soldier’s dream in the camp), we can be confident that he will deliver us in his own perfect way. It may come in the nick of time, but it will come. Count on him—trust him—to use unexpected, unconventional and unconsidered means and methods to do so.
It’s the Lord’s goal to get us to worship him before he’s answered our prayers! Our ability to praise him prematurely is a sign of maturity. In that state, implementing a crazy plan involving torches, trumpets and clay pots seems doable. In the end, the three armies bearing down on God’s people turned on themselves. Then the scattering enemy soldiers were tracked drawn by reinforcements from Gideon’s people and neighboring tribes, even those who did not act previously on behalf of their brothers.
Through the account of Gideon, it appears that the Lord accommodates—is at least very patient with—our predilections, idiosyncrasies, foibles, and fears. We are by nature, some more than others, handwringers and fretters. It appears that it is permissible to consider the worst thing that can happen, if that assessment drives us to our knees! Then we can freely receive and accept God’s plan.
I’ve observed there are some who are nonchalant in the face of a desperate situation, and some who try desperately to solve the problem with their own resources. As with Paul, when all hope was lost on the way to imminent shipwreck, the only course was to trust God, stay on the ship, eat something for the swim ahead, and pray. (Acts 27:14-39) The reality is, only God can cover every eventuality. All options are open to him, as he operates in at least six more dimensions than we do! We are flying blind.
The point is, as Gideon learned, to worship him before he delivers. This methodology is very difficult to implement in the face of impossible situations, but it needs to be our default position. Over time, the wad of worry we constantly carry around with us, or the proud confidence we have in our own ways and means, will dissolve into persistent curiosity as to how God will amazingly work this go round.
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Micah 7:7
Leave a Reply