Only by His Spirit

Bible Text: Judges 7

In the ideal case more is always better than less. In battle the more abled and equipped men and women you have the higher the chance of winning. More ammunitions, more money and the list goes on and on. 

Gideon was however instructed by God to downsize his army. This must have sounded absurd. God did not want the case were Israel would boast that their strength had won them victory in the battle.

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 1:2)

Gideon obeyed this instruction and followed the various criteria given by God on how he would reduce the number of men he had. Anyone who was afraid to go into battle was asked to go home. This reduced the size from 32,000 men to 10,000. The size was again reduced from 10,000 to 300, these 300 were those who lapped the water like dogs. God gave Israel the victory over the Midianites using these 300 men.

God is not limited by us. God's power is not dependent on anything we have or do not have. It is not our abilities, or level of intelligence that allows God to do what he has to do. With or Without our strength, beauty, intelligence, family background, how fair or dark we are, fat or slim, tall or short, God is still God and can and will do what He says he will do.

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

If it were by might we will not be where we are today. If it were by might Sarah would not give birth at the age of 90 (Genesis 18:12). If it were by might how would a virgin, Mary,  who had been with no man give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). If it were by might how would Paul a persecutor of Christians preach the Gospel of the Christ he was persecuting (Acts 9). If it were by might how would a man born blind receive his sight. If it were by might how would the daughter of Jairus be brought back to life (Matthew 9:18-26).

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    his greatness no one can fathom.

(Psalm 145:3)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. You are Great and you do great things, show yourself mighty in our lives. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!