Thoughts for the Day

Then Gideon and all the troops that were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Midian was north of them, below the hills of Moreh, in the valley.

The Lord said to Gideon, 'The troops with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand. Israel would only take the credit away from me, saying "My own hand has delivered me." Now therefore proclaim this in the hearing of the troops, "Whoever is fearful and trembling let him return home." ' Thus Gideon sifted them out; twenty-two thousand returned, and ten thousand remained'.

Then the Lord said to Gideon, 'The troops are still too many, take them down to the water and I will sift them out for you there. When I say, "This one shall go with you", he shall go with you; and when I say "This one shall not go with you", he shall not go.' So he brought the troops down to the water; and the Lord said to Gideon, 'All those who lap the water with their tongues, as a dog laps, you shall put to one side; all those who kneel down to drink, putting their hands to their mouths," you shall put to the other side.' The number of those that lapped was three hundred.....Then the Lord said to Gideon, 'With the three hundred that lapped I will deliver you, and give the Midianites into your hand.'

(New Standard Revised Version)

Thoughts

To find out more about Gideon's amazing victory over the Midians and the Amalekites, who worshipped Baal, it is worth reading the last half of Chapter 6 and the whole of Chapter 7 in the book of Judges. We may not necessarily believe the story in every aspect, but what comes over even now after all this time is the trust that Gideon has in God - that he overcame 135,000 enemy with 300 men.

I remember visiting the site of this battle once, with its little stream at the bottom of the valley. The men who lapped their water would not have been able to see all around them with their faces in the water, but those who cupped their hands were perhaps better soldiers. Whatever the reason the army finally numbered 300, and had to trust that God could bring about a victory.

When we feel strong and in control, we rely on our own strength, but when we are weak we can only trust in God. At this moment we are learning to trust in God again, to ask for His help, and to accept His guidance. When Covid 19 is under control in the future, will we still remember to trust in God or will we go it alone again?
Saturday 27th June, follow up thoughts

Heavenly Father,
forgive us when we try to stand
on our own feet;
when we try to 'go it alone'.
Teach us to trust in You,
and to obey Your commands,
that we may grow closer to You
and Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
through the power of the Spirit.
Amen.