Gideon and his 300 valiant men

Today we studied the Book of Judges - chapter 7: 1-23. When Gideon and his army were preparing for battle, they already had a plan, but before the battle began God revealed to him a different plan. Gideon had planned to march into battle with 32,000 soldiers, but that plan was not in sync with God's plan.  God had other ideas!

When we make our plans, we tend to stack the deck in our favour. That is human nature. However, God may have another plan for your life and mine. The test of a truly consecrated life is that it is willing to scrap one's own plan and submit to God's plan.

Gideon's mega army of 32,000 was reduced to a small contingent of 300! We today seem to be enchanted with things "mega." Fancy 300 Israelites against 135,000 Midianites. Israel was outnumbered 450 to one, but God was on Israel's side! Because the victory was without a mega army and without a fierce battle, God received the glory for the victory. Neither Gideon nor his army could go home and boast about what they did in the field of battle. How often we like to glorify ourselves!

How that story might have gone! When we turn from our plan and embrace His, victory is assured. This has been my own experience proven again and again! "To God be the glory" we often sing, but do we live this truth out.

Feeling disappointed, discouraged with the frustration of our plans? The best thing of us as His followers to seek God's will for our lives and submit our will to His will.  Rick Warren says, "God never does anything accidentally, and He never makes mistakes. He has a reason for everything He creates."

Who is on the Lord's side?
Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers,
Other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world's side?
Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord's side?
Who for Him will go?

By Thy grand redemption,
By Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side;
Savior, we are Thine.

Not for weight of glory,
Not for crown and palm,
Enter we the army,
Raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth
Lives for whom He died;
He whom Jesus nameth
Must be on His side.

Jesus, Thou hast bought us,
Not with gold or gem,
But with Thine own life-blood,
For Thy diadem;
With Thy blessing filling
Each who comes to Thee,
Thou hast made us willing,
Thou hast made us free.

Fierce may be the conflict,
Strong may be the foe,
But the King's own army
None can overthrow.
Round His standard ranging
Victory is secure,
For His truth unchanging
Makes the triumph sure.

Frances R Havergal


Yesterday I wrote about the chorus "Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me." That song kept ringing in my heart and today while the offering was being taken, the pianist played that same song. God spoke to my heart again. I need the Spirit of the Living God to fall afresh on me each day.