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WINNING A WAR (JUDGES 7:9-14)

REFLECTION

Winning a war is the theme for our reflection. Winning a war means overcoming enemy forces. We shall reflect on the fact that it takes the power and glory of God to win a war or overcome the enemy. God appointed Gideon to lead the Israelites to defeat the Midianites other Eastern allies.  “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.” (Judges 7:2). Again, “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.” So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. (Judges 7:7-8) Consequently, out of thirty-two thousand soldiers, only three hundred were selected and used by God to defeat the Midianites and other Eastern allies.

The enemies themselves had a dream of their own defeat which later came to pass. “The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. ¹³ Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” ¹⁴ His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” (Judges 7:12-14).

Beloved in the Lord, winning a war and all other battles in life is God’s enablement and not through our own feeble and limited strength. It is for this reason that when David faced Goliath and the Philistine army, he boldly declared to them “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:46-47). Dear friend, the war you are fighting may be anxiety, failure, sickness, poverty, addiction, disappointment and the like, however, Jesus assures us that “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). The battle is the Lord’s, so no wonder David confessed, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever .”(Psalms 23:4-6)

In summary, we have been reminded that winning a war is God’s doing since we are limited in our efforts and abilities. Let us do our best, but ultimately, trust God for empowerment and victory. Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, we completely humble ourselves and rely on you for our sustenance and victory. We need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to be found worthy and counted among your chosen servants to be used for your glory. Amen.