LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 11:32-34, Well how much more do I need to say?  It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.  By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God has promised them.  They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword.  Their weakness was turned to strength.  They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight.  (NLT)

 

The writer of Hebrews stops writing about what these members of the Hall of Fame of Faith had specifically done to become members. It is worth taking time to find out what individuals mentioned have done to gain entrance to this place of honor.  In the list above the first four men mentioned are from the time “when there was no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes”; this was when judges ruled Israel.  Other men mentioned lived and showed their faith in instances where God used them in a mighty way.  There are some unnamed men mentioned as well that we will look at.  The person we will look at specifically is in bold print.

 

Before we continue, it is important to know that these men were imperfect.  However, God looked into their heart and saw the faith (even if it was very small) He could use to fulfill His purpose(s).  Keep that in mind as you read about these individuals and reflect back on those already written about and be encouraged that God still looks for a little bit of faith in you and me to be used for His glory.

 

Gideon’s story is found in Judges 6-8.  The people of Israel did evil in the sight of God by conforming to the ways of the Midianite people.  David Jeremiah states that evil done by the Israelites can be summed up with the three words – “Infidelity, idolatry, and intermarriage”.  God chose a young man that was threshing wheat to be the leader of Israel’s army.  God called him a “mighty man of valor” and told him that He would be with Him as he delivered God’s people.  “All those who earnestly seek to serve God can depend on the active presence of God with them” (LSSB).  That is a promise made by Jesus Christ Himself in Matthew 28:19-20.

 

Through a series of events Gideon was equipped him to serve God and His people; he was ready to accomplish what God had for him to do.  His army of 32,000 was ready for battle.  But first, God reduced the number down to 300.  Why would He do that?  The words of the prophet Zechariah explain the reason very well. “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6).  Gideon needed to understand that it was not the strength found in numbers but God’s presence with him that assured him of victory. That is a great teaching for you and me – our ultimate resource and strength against all challenges of life is found in God alone.  “When we do things in their own strength get human sized results!” (DJSB).  God wants you and me to work through every circumstance we face in faith in Him and His leading.

 

Just to give Gideon that extra encouragement that would strengthen his faith, God told him to sneak into the Midianite camp.  There he overheard the one of the Midianites tell another of a dream he had regarding the defeat of the Midianite army.  Gideon returned to his camp strengthened and ready to accomplish God’s work.  There are those times when we are serving God that we just need a little encouragement from Him.  I have found times when I get a note from someone that greatly encourage me; it always seems to be at the time I need it most.  God knows when a word or a note of encouragement is needed by each of us.

 

The takeaway from Gideon is that God can use even just a little bit of faith in someone to serve His purpose.  He might reduce your strength (from 32,000 men to 300) so you have to rely on Him.  In doing so, you might just accomplish what seemed impossible.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB.