Learn From Gideon, 24

~ God Values Quality Over Quantity ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we will discover practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Scripture  ~  “Then Jerubbaal [Gideon] and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the well of Harod, so that the camp of the Midianites was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley.  And the Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, “My own hand has saved me.”  Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, “Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.”’  And 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained’” (Judges 7:1-3).

Learn From Gideon  ~  22,000 of the 32,000 were “fearful and afraid.”

1. God wants us to overcome our fears because fear is a thief.  It starts small but grows rapidly like a fast-growing cancer.  “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).
2. God always does things purposely.  In this instance He downsized Gideon’s army removing 22,000, or nearly 70 percent, from advancing to the front lines because they did not trust Him.  As the hymn states, “Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey!”
3. God wants you to trust Him in response to His love for you.  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:18-19).
4. We serve a God who is more interested in quality than quantity. 

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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