“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.” 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.”
– Judges 7:2,3
Although Gideon was the weakest member of the weakest clan of the weakest tribe in Israel, he had no problem rallying people to the cause of taking back their land from the Midianites. In fact, within a short period of time, he enlisted the help of 32,000 men. Concerned that there were too many soldiers, the Lord told him to whittle down his army. Following His instruction, Gideon first gave all of the men who were fearful about fighting the Midianites permission to leave. With that, 22,000 of the 32,000 walked away. Down to just 10,000, God gave another strange directive — He told Gideon to take the remaining soldiers to the bank of the river to get a drink of water. Any of them who laid down their weapons and cupped their hands like gentlemen were disqualified, but those who lapped up the liquid like dogs were allowed to stay (experienced soldiers know to never abandon their swords). When all was said and done, the army ended up being just 300 men. However, the ones who remained were the true warriors; they were fearless, rugged and ready to defeat their enemy, and that’s exactly what they did! My point is sharing this illustration with you, my friend, is to remind you that in the Kingdom of God, less is more! You don’t have to have the largest team, the biggest church, or the most influential name in order to radically display the Lord’s glory. The more modest and humble the vessel, the more His power and might are revealed through it. His strength is proven in weakness and His decrease is never His demotion; meditate on that truth and there is no telling what He will do through you! |
Prayer
Jesus, I am humbled to think that with you, less is actually more. Teach me to live from a place of contentment.
Reflection
When in your life has your less been God’s more?
One Response
Yes Less is more when Jesus gets involved!! My husband has retired now and I haven’t had a substitute teacher job since 2018. We live on Less money now but we have not wanted for anything. God has supplies all our needs and wants