Today’s Reading: Judges 7, Psalm 35
WE NEVER HAVE TO ASK GOD TO REPEAT HIMSELF OR PROVE HIS FAITHFULNESS.
“…I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a bowlful of water.
Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning but the ground was covered in dew. – Judges 6:37b-40
Our reluctant hero was battling insecurity and our gracious God indulged him by responding, just as He so generously confirms His call to us when He knows we need confirmation of His presence. Oh, what a wonderful God we serve! But God wasn’t done teaching Gideon. While Gideon was asking God to show him HOW He would help Gideon rescue the Israelites, God was preparing to show Gideon WHO would do the rescuing.
GOD WOULD BE THE HERO OF THIS STORY.
When all the warriors gathered together, God told Gideon there were too many. If He allowed that many Israelites to go into battle, they would take the credit for the victory, boasting that they saved themselves by their own strength. So He sent home everyone who was timid or afraid, and 22,000 men left. Gideon was left standing with an army of 10,000.
Next God told Gideon to watch how the men went down to the river to take a drink. If they cupped the water with their hands to drink, keeping their eyes up, they would be in one group; if they knelt down and placed their mouths directly in the river, they would be in the second group. This last group was sent home, leaving only 300 wise and alert warriors for Gideon to lead into battle.
God was ready for Gideon to move forward but, knowing Gideon so well, God allowed him to seek proof one more time. God told Gideon that, if he was still afraid, he could go down close to the Midianite camp and listen to their campfire conversations. Gideon took God up on the offer and came back with confidence. He split the remaining 300 men into 3 groups of 100, handing each of them a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it. They surrounded the camp and, on Gideon’s count, they blew the horns and broke the clay jars, surrounding the enemy camp with noise and fire. God caused confusion among the Midianites and they began to fight each other (7:9-22).
And Gideon saw clearly that God was still performing miracles among the Israelites, just as He had for their ancestors and just as He continues to do for us today! My thoughts go to these verses in Psalm 18:
I love you, Lord; you are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety. — Psalm 18:1-2
What mighty act is God calling you to participate in today? Do you have a Here-I-come-to-save-the-day attitude, or are you keeping your eyes up, watching for God to do something mighty through and around you? Are you even now laying out a fleece for God, asking Him to confirm His presence in a situation you are facing or a decision you need to make? I pray God moves today on your behalf so that you can be reminded of His protection over you and His presence as your rock, your fortress and your savior.
I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps. — Psalm 85:8-13