Corona Devo 566

Are we unsure (and a bit cold-footed) about what God is calling us into today? Are we afraid to attack (Judges 7:10) and in need of some encouragement before we move forward with the plans He has for us?

God knows that. He knows us. He knows that we want to believe Him and His sovereign plans for us and our world. But because God perceives our thoughts (Psalm 139:14) He also knows that sometimes we need reassurance before we can enter the daily battle for Him.

Is that us today? Are we looking for a little push of encouragement before we set foot into today's battles?

Life doesn't let up, does it? But neither does God's faithfulness, direction and strength.

We know Jesus and we believe in Him. But today's battle can seem so lopsided and all uphill. The "armies"..."and the people" that we face seem to surround and outnumber us "like a swarm of locusts" and their "camels" are like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! (Judges 7:12).

Is that us today?

Well, we aren't the only ones who need greatly encouraged before we move in to attack on the Lord's behalf today. Watch for similarities in Gideon's assignment, encouragement and victory from the Lord and may we be strengthened by God's Biblical example for us today.

(7) The Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites.. (9) That night the Lord said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! (10) But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. (11) Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.”

So Gideon...went down to the edge of the enemy camp. (12) The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! (13) Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, “I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!”

(14) His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!”

(15) When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, “Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!” (16) He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it.

(17) Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. (18) As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’”

(19) It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars. (20) Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”

(21) Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. (22) When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places...far away... ~Judges 7:7, 9-22

Pretty crazy, isn't it? And did you catch Gideon's role in God's victory? He pretty much just had to show up for the battle and God did the rest.

We all have our own battles in front of us today, but their victories have nothing to do with us. Our victories today have everything to do with God.

And so, very possibly (and intimidatingly), we are vastly outnumbered today. Gideon was. In fact, God had purposely reduced his army numbers until there could be no mistake about who should get the glory for a victory, if it were to come to them.

Has God dwindled our resources/"army"/reserves/back-up plan/strength/and even our hope today?

Good. That is just where God wants us so that there is no mistake about who deserves the glory when our victory comes. And it will come.

But God's victory cannot come in our pride, our own strength, or by our own self-will. True victory over our battles today can only come when we realize and acknowledge the One who has gained victory over our battles for us: The Lord Jesus Christ.

He is faithful and He is right here with us.

God gives us direction on which path-to-choose and which battle-to-fight each day (if we will listen to Him).

And last, but certainly not least: God gives us encouragement to enter the battle today. And we can leave the rest to Him.

I will rescue you and give you victory... ~Judges 7:7

Blessings,  

sarah    

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com