Battle

Gideon's 300 were soldiers, and they were sent into battle. They didn't do battle in the traditional way, with swords and danger and rushing the enemy. They did battle with faith, believing the Word of Yahweh and willing to move in the direction that Word led them, even if it looked foolish at the time.

Gideon took 300 men and armed them with a torch, a pitcher, and a trumpet. He then strategically placed them around the camp of the enemy, a large number of people who were willing to not only destroy Israel, but CONTINUE destroying them. For Gideon was not fighting a newly invading army, but a group of people who were entrenched in their position.

Gideon, when called, was threshing wheat in a wine press in order to avoid the occupying enemy. The enemy was not new to the battle, Gideon was.

And he stationed his men around the camp of the enemy and gave them instructions. Really, he repeated the instructions he had been given. For Yahweh told him to simply station the men around the camp and blow the trumpets and break the pitchers. Their swords weren't even out of their belts (because how can you hold a trumpet, a torch, a pitcher AND a sword with only two hands), or if they were, they wouldn't have been ready to use.

Instead they used a more powerful weapon, a more powerful sword, the Sword of the Spirit--the Word of Yahweh. That, along with the full armor of Christ, allowed them to win the battle without lifting a natural sword. For when they were obedient, the enemy began destroying itself. Because the nature of the enemy is to self-destruct.

And Gideon and his 300 liberated Israel from the oppressors, giving glory to Yahweh and accomplishing His desires.

The requirements for Gideon's 300 were that they be not afraid, have prophetic vision, and be united under their authority and the Word. But what do these things mean? Does it mean they were feeling invincible that day and had not a lick of fear? Did it mean they could see the future with clarity that made it as real to them as the present? Did it mean they wholeheartedly accepted Gideon's leadership and never questioned whether or not he was ready to lead?

Because we must see things with Yahweh's eyes. I could condemn Gideon--who was threshing wheat in a wine press so the enemy could not steal it from him and who was afraid to cut down his father's idols in daylight--for fear. I could condemn Gideon--who had to ask Yahweh for a sign that He was even the one speaking to Gideon and for not one but TWO signs before he even accepted his position as leader of the 300 and then had to go down into the camp to listen to the enemy speak of his dream of his own defeat when Yahweh told him he would be victorious--for not having prophetic vision. But Yahweh did not condemn him. He used him. So how could I judge Gideon harshly?

Today I feel like Gideon, or at least like one of his 300 soldiers. It is nearly time to go out into the battle, and I know I am ready. I know I am victorious. I am brave, equipped, and have the full armor of Yahweh. Yahweh's Spirit is within me, and I do not venture forth alone. Yet, it is a heavy responsibility for all that Yahweh carries all the weight.

For my enemy, like Gideon's, is not new to the battle. It is well-entrenched. I am the newcomer. And yet I am omnipotent, for Yahweh has established my authority. He has armed me, while disarming the powers and principalities that in the past held sway over the battlefield.

I am not alone. Yahweh my God goes with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. And He has established me. I am bold and courageous. And I am successful. I am mature. I am prepared in ways I wasn't the last time I fought this battle.

This time it will be better, though I don't expect it to be easy. I will fight in the rest. I will live in my Yahweh and I will see what He has spoken. I will enjoy the battle, and revel in the fact that I am bringing glory to my God, my King. I am GIVING Him something, and gifts can be costly. But it matters. It means something. I have a purpose. So it's ok. It's worth it. My face is set like flint. I am ready.