“300”

“ 1 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3 Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

 4 But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”

 5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

 7 The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” – Judges 7:1-7

In Judges Chapter 6, the Israelites (God’s chosen people) were being oppressed by the Midianites because they had begun to worship false gods and went against God. After some time of oppression, the Israelites cried out to God to help deliver them from their troubles…and He answered their cry. God chooses the weakest family member, out of the weakest of Israel’s twelve tribes…Gideon to save the people of Israel from the Midianites.  Sometimes when we have just a glimpse of what God has called us to do, we’re blown away and don’t think that we’re qualified for the task….and Gideon thought the same thing.

Throughout chapter 6, Gideon asks God for signs that he really is the one who is supposed to lead Israel into battle and God gives him signs to confirm His word. It is at THIS point that Gideon realizes that many people are relying on his obedience to God …but the now there’s too many “other people” in the picture to give God FULL credit. God deserves ALL of the glory, honor, praise and credit.. not just some of it.

You ARE aware of those “other people” right? The ones who will only help you when they gain something? Or will help you and broadcast it to the world? Or the ones who will NEVER let you forget that they helped you …or that they helped “put you on?” Yep, THOSE “other people.” They think they’re responsible for your victories and successes…as you’ve read above, God will move those “other people” right out the way. Sometimes the odds are stacked against us so much so that it ensures WE can’t take credit either!

In the text above there were people who started out with Gideon (in preparation) but were removed BEFORE the battle and the victory. Everyone isn’t meant to be on your journey forever…read that again. The first ones to go were the ones who were afraid….but the 2nd set that left seemingly did no wrong. God just made a distinction of who was supposed to continue on the journey and who wasn’t.Sometimes people won’t make a “dramatic exit” out of your life but their season may just fade out. We have to stop holding on to people, things, places, and ideas/thoughts that God is trying to remove! This doesn’t necessarily mean that those people,things, places and ideas/thoughts are bad….but that they aren’t FOR YOU.

As Judges 7 comes to a close, Gideon and his army of 300 men (that God has chosen to aid him in battle) are victorious in defeating the Midianite army of approximately 135,000 men. What we must not overlook is that although Gideon and his army fought the battle….the victory was enjoyed by ALLof Israel… even those warriors who were dismissed before the battle! The obedience of one (Gideon) brought peace, freedom and joy to many…and also incited praises, worship and thankfulness to the Most High God!

When we move on God’s Word, we must have place complete faith and trust in Him to know that we will victorious in the end and that God wants to use our story to help someone else. Trust that God’s “300” chosen people for your journey are sufficient! For the scriptures declare, “All this is for YOUR benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.” 2 Cor. 4:15 

….The thing is, we must be willing to let Him use us first :)

May the God of peace perfect the very things which concern you and give you joy that is unspeakable, unable to be contained, and unable to be measured by the human mind. I love you! (Like, I really do!)

Allison :)

 (originally posted: April 20, 2011)