Source

Today I was reading through Judges and chapter 7, and the story of Gideon's three hundred men struck me. In this story we see that God will restore his people, by his own strength and despite their own weakness and failings.

No man can save themselves, and no victory or salvation is ours but those that God himself grants us.

Let's read and discuss...

Judges 7 English Standard Version (ESV)

Gideon's Three Hundred Men
7 Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

2 The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.

4 And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many.

Only the Lord saves...

Isaiah 43:11 English Standard Version (ESV)

11 I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior.

Source

My Power is Perfected in Weakness

Gideon is a doubter, he challenges God asking God to show repeated signs before Gideon will follow His command. Gideon is afraid, when he does comply with God's orders to tear down an idol to Baal, he does so under the cover of darkness for fear of the other Jews. Gideon even admits to God, he is a no-body, from a small, weak house, and that he is least of all his family, yet God uses Gideon.

Gideon is a failure, and yet God uses Gideon.

This is the way God works. God will accomplish God's good will, grace and mercy, despite us, and so it is not by our strength that we are chosen, it is despite our weaknesses. Why? Because God's perfection is most clearly displayed, set beside our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Therefore, God sends away 31,700 of Gideon's army, leaving him with only 300. God does not need our strength to wipe away His foes, in this case represented by the Midianites. What's more, it seems to me this story indicates, among all the people who "follow God", many are not truly selected by God.

Source

God only chooses 1% of his "followers"

Notice how 99% of the 32,000 were sent away, yes it was because God wanted to show His own strength, but also, I think it was because those 99% would have taken God's glory for their own. God says so, Judges 7:2, The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’

This second concern implies that God's choice to send just 300, means these 300 are set apart. In what way? Perhaps, in that they are truly humble and would set all their glory at the foot of the Lord, giving all credit to His name, not their own. Why else these 300?

The other 31,700 follow God also... why not some other 300? Because Judges 7:2, they will "boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'"

Only these 300 are true followers of God walking in true humility. 300 men out of 32,000 men, that is all that would walk in humility before the Lord? That is less than 1% of the "followers", less than one percent were deeply committed to the Lord, such that they would obey, and then rightly submit all glory to God for any resulting victory.

What does this say about us? Are we any better? Are we part of the 1% of God? Humble enough to submit our victories, that He lovingly brings us, and any corresponding glory at his feet? Or do we try to "boast over" the Lord?

I think this story tells us two things:

1. God chooses the weak to execute His perfect will, so that His perfection and glory are undeniable.
2. Many people say they follow God, but of those who "follow", less than 1% serve in a manner that humbly honors our Lord.

My Prayer:

Help me be your 300. Help me live in a humility that honors your glory and puts the brokenness of pride in me to death. Thank you, Lord, that you love us enough to give us this day to change our ways, and turn truly to your path. There is no other road to salvation, Lord help us see that, hear your invitation and submit to you Lord.

We pray these things and give these thanks in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

More from me:

🔴 Steemit: https://steemit.com/@infidel1258
🔴 Steemit # 2: https://steemit.com/@itisfinished
🔴 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOoOxEybRJm_iK7EtL11YNw
🔴 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infidel1258/
🔴 Minds: https://www.minds.com/register?referrer=infidel1258

Referral Links:

▶️ Brave Browser: https://brave.com/dwa705
▶️ Steem Monsters: https://steemmonsters.com?ref=infidel1258
▶️ Actifit: https://actifit.io/signup?referrer=infidel1258
▶️ Partiko: https://partiko.app/referral/infidel1258
▶️ CoinSquare: https://coinsquare.com/register?r=lbdcL
▶️ Coinbase: https://www.coinbase.com/join/59bbe24dd0e8a800f12e7b93