Israel 2008 - Compass Bible Church

Today I had the privilege of preaching at Gideon’s spring. Perhaps you have heard the story of Gideon and his small little army. He started with 32,000 but then he sent away thousands who were afraid. Then he had his men drink from this spring and only kept the 300 who lapped up the water. So why did the Lord want Gideon to reduce his army to such a ridiculously small size? Answer:

Judges 7:2 - The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her…”

This was a challenge for all of us to consider how much we are trusting in our own strength or if we are giving God the glory. In the days of the Old Testament leaders like Gideon trusted in the number of horses or chariots or soldiers in their army. But Scripture is clear we need to trust in the name of the Lord. And when He gives us victory we need to boast in Him and not act like we have done it.

We spent some time considering what we trust in when we are facing battles in life. Do we trust in our money? Do we trust in the fact that we have other people in our lives? Instead we should be trusting in God’s strength and ready to give Him the credit for all of our victories because we know the battle belongs to the Lord.

Gideon’s spring is a small little stream. If you ever go there you will find it very unimpressive. But that is exactly the point. God loves to use a small army, a little stream and simple people like us. This way it is clear that the power comes from Him! To God be the glory!

View more photos in the Israel 2008 photo gallery.

For more on this subject check out another blog I wrote called The Glory of God.