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 throughout the day. We had just arrived for our annual snowbird escape and were busy getting settled and planning times to get together with our Florida friends. While I heard the weather warnings, I paid scant attention to them and did nothing to prepare for the possibility of predicted violent weather. 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 we were buffeted by heavy winds. My phone weather application indicated we were in a tornado watch box and to take immediate cover. We were advised to execute our emergency survival and escape plan—in our case was non-existent! Fortunately, the intense storms were brief and passed quickly with no tornadoes materializing. The event caused me to fill quite anxious since I realized I was ill- prepared to face the potential weather disaster. (Thank you, Lord, for watching over us.)
Now, just imagine how Joshua and his three hundred men must have felt when they were directed by the Lord to attack the Midianite camp that was occupied by warriors as numerous as a plaque of locusts. On top of this, they were equipped for battle with clay jars containing torches and rams’ horns–talk about being ill- prepared! If I had been in their midst I would have been thinking, “Why was I not one of the 33,300 lucky ones sent home?” Gideon knew full well that the Lord had properly prepared them for their coming attack. 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 wrote in verse 8, “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. This leaves us feeling hopeless and desperate to find a way to survive. Sometimes we have advanced warning of the storms and need to actively get prepared to face their onslaught. In either case, we must seek God and put him at the top of our emergency response plans knowing that He will always answer us from His Holy Mountain (Psalm 3:4). The testimonies of Gideon and David demonstrate that He will never leave our side.
Dear God, help me seek your face at all times, especially when I am caught off guard by the inevitable storms of life.