That night the Lord said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.” So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. Judges 7:9-11 NLT
God was asking Gideon to lead the troops against a very powerful Midianite army of 135,000 trained warriors with just 300 men. With the odds stacked against him, no doubt Gideon was afraid. God was not offended by Gideon’s fear, rather He offered him a chance to build his confidence. Fear can be a crippling emotion, and I’m grateful God understands and gently offers us reassurance when we are frightened.
His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!” When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, “Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!” Judges 7:14-15 NLT
When Gideon crept into the enemy camp he overheard one soldier telling another about his dream, and to his surprise it was about him. Think about all that God set up for Gideon that night. He gave the dream and the interpretation, then sent Gideon to that exact spot at the right moment to hear their conversation. Have you ever recognized when God has set things up for you, to give you reassurance? Maybe it’s something you overheard, or read, or listened to on the radio. It may have come in the form of a testimony, a sermon, a song, or even a text. God speaks to us through a variety of ways and goes to great lengths to be sure we hear exactly what we need.
He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it. Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’” It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars. Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. Judges 7:16-22 NLT
Here’s the bottom line, when God is on your side, the odds are never stacked against you! No attack, no diagnosis, no legal action, no financial difficulty, no problem at work, no rebellious child, no addiction ever has an advantage over you if God is with you! Whatever you face today, no matter how bad it appears, God is well able to give you the victory! If you are struggling with fear of it, ask Him for reassurance. And like Gideon, despite the fear, obey God and do exactly what He asks of you, then trust Him to see you through the battle and bring you the victory!