When Less is More – Week Three

For seven years, Midian oppressed Israel. And God’s people lived in fear – hiding out and holding on to what little they had left. In desperation, they cried out, asking God to deliver them. 

God heard their cries and used a man named Gideon to gather an army to defeat Midian. This army was no ordinary army. They were small and poorly armed and led by a man who, as far as we know, had no military experience. 

Let’s take stock. On the night of the battle, the army consisted of only 300 men. Their weapons were limited to trumpets and glass pitchers with torches. But their God was all-powerful. And He commanded Gideon, “Arise, for the LORD has given the camp of Midian into your hands.” (Judges 7:15 NASB) 

Gideon divided the men into groups of 100. The troops surrounded the enemy camp quietly and bravely, waiting for the signal. On Gideon’s command, they blew the trumpets, smashed the pitchers, and shouted a war cry. 

While God’s army stood still around the camp, blowing their trumpets and shouting, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon.” (Judges 7:21), inside the camp, chaos broke loose. The Midian army fled in defeat, and in the process, they killed one another with the sword. 

I find the battle cry here fascinating – the men are shouting about a sword for God, but they don’t even have a sword, much less lift up one in war. God is their weapon. He fights their battle. And He wins the victory. 

There is so much we can glean from Gideon’s story. 

• God’s strategy often works in opposition to our natural way of thinking. 
• God’s strategy will challenge us to take bold steps of faith.
• God’s strategy is fresh and new for each battle. 
• God’s strategy centers around His strength, not ours. 
• God’s strategy always wins in the end. 

Many times, in my eagerness to follow God’s calling, I adopt my own strategy. I begin to think that I need to figure it out, make a plan, or even win the war. 

As I grow, I am learning that when a situation is within my ability or control, I am most likely not following God’s path. God wants to take us beyond what we know, where we’ve been, and what we are comfortable with. He wants to stretch us and challenge us. 

Like Gideon, God wants to use us. He desires to bless us and in turn to bless others. But we have to be willing to let go of our way. Most of the time, before God gives victory, He demands humility. Before He gives the increase, He watches to see if we will decrease. 

Gideon learned that in God’s economy, less is more. An army of 32,000 was too large and mighty for God to show off His power. But a little band of 300 men with no actual weapons was just right. 

I wonder what is too large and mighty in your life? And what might be just right for God to show off His glory?