To God Be the Glory
Judges 7:2, "And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me."
Today's verse is a portion of a passage that is very familiar to each of us. Gideon has been called by the Lord to lead the children of Israel against the Midianites. Gideon is a humble man upon whom the Spirit of God is resting (Judges 6:34). Gideon began with a band of 32,000 men who were going to go to battle with him, however, the Lord didn't want the people to falsely believe it was their own strength that brought victory. Therefore, all that was fearful were told to return home, 22,000 men went home. The math is simple, that left Gideon with 10,000 men. This was still too many (Judges 7:4), so Gideon took them down to the water and the men who lapped water with their hand were allowed to remain with Gideon. He now had an army of 300!!! No one could lay claim to the victory with such a small number of fighting men against such a formidable group as the Midianites.
Not only the small band of men but the method utilized to bring the victory was strange. He divided the band into three groups of 100 each. Each man had a trumpet, an empty pitcher and a lamp, they would simultaneously shout as they broke the pitchers to expose the light of the lamps "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon." The Midianites were put to flight and the rest is history.
God wants to use you and me, but it must be understood, that all we do is done for HIS glory. The Lord is the One who is to receive the glory as a result of everything you and I do.
May we be forever pointing people to Christ, lifting up the Saviour. To God be the glory, Great things He hath done!
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. Read 1 Corinthians 10:31. What does this verse mean to you?
2. What did God do with the band of men who went to fight with Gideon to ensure He (the Lord) would receive the glory?
3. Are you careful to give God the glory for the things accomplished in your life? How do you make sure God receives the glory?
4. Is humility important in giving God glory? How so?