Friday, April 19, 2013

The Marching Band vs. the Mighty Army

Israel was essentially in hiding in their own land. They hid themselves, their grain and their livestock in caves. Marauding bands swooped through and took everything they could find.

But things were going to change and God was going to use the chicken to lead to victory.

When God commanded Gideon to tear down the Baal and Asherah, he did it under the cloak of darkness. When the men of the city asked who did it, Gideon didn't march out and say, "I did it! We need to start a revival in the land and turn from Baal to God!"

No, he stayed in hiding and his father came to his defense (Judges 6:25-32).

When God called him to fight against the Midianites, Gideon put out the fleece - two times. Maybe he wasn't sure that he had really understood God. Maybe he was looking for a loophole.

But then we know the rest of the story. At the time of the battle God whittled down the Israelite attackers to just 300 men. Armed with pitchers, torches and trumpets this little band routed the Midianite army. A marching band beats a powerful army.

But wait. Was it really Gideon and his army?

No. God fought the battle.

God said several times through His preparation of Gideon that He would fight the battle. He would get the glory. Not Gideon and not his army.

God kept His word. When Israel cried out to Him, He delivered them.

That's how God gets the glory. When we see that He has done the work and kept His word, we realize that it's all about God and not about us.

And that's even in our little skirmishes throughout the day.

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