READ: JUDGES 6
His friend said,” Your dream can only mean one thing-God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over the armies united with Midian!” (V. 14)
The local Florida weather forecasters began warning of some possible violent evening storms. We had just arrived for our annual snowbird escape and were busy unpacking. While I heard the weather warnings, I paid scant attention to them and did nothing to anticipate their arrival. In fact, as the evening progressed it appeared that the worst of the storms would move away from our area.
Suddenly, just before 10 PM, intense lighting flashes whizzed over the house; rain came sideways in torrents; and the wind became heavy and fierce. My phone weather application indicated we were in a tornado watch box and to take immediate cover and be prepared to execute your emergency survival and escape plan-which in our case was non-existent! Fortunately, the brief intense storms passed quickly and no tornadoes materialized. Looking back, the event caused me to fill quite anxious knowing I was ill- prepared to face the potential weather disaster. (Thank you, Lord, for watching over us.)
Now, just imagine how Gideon and his three hundred men must have felt when they were directed by the Lord to attack the Midianite camp occupied by warriors numerous as a plaque of locusts. On top of this, there battle equipment consisted of clay jars containing torches and rams’ horns–talk about being unprepared! If I had been in their midst I would have been thinking, “Why was I not among the 33,300 lucky ones sent home?” But Gideon knew full well that the Lord had properly prepared them for their difficult task. He confidently led them to the total victory delivered by the Lord. Although it would not be written for over 150 years, Psalm 3 shows how David, like Gideon, fully trusted God for protection and peace when faced with overwhelming circumstances. He was fleeing from his son Absalom who had revolted and was seeking to kill him and become Israel’s next king. Feeling anguished and distressed by the whole turn of events he wrote: “Victory comes from you, O Lord. May your blessings rest on your people.”
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
The storms of life often arise without warning and catch us in a state of unpreparedness. We feel hopeless and are desperate to find a way survive. Other times we have advanced warning of the storms and need to actively prepare to face their onslaught. In either case, we must seek God and put him at the top of our response preparations. He will always answer us from His Holy Mountain, (Psalm 3:4), and never leave our side—the proof is found in the testimonies of Gideon and David!
Dear God, help me seek your face at all times and thank you for being with me when the tide of life is threating to sweep me away.