KINGDOM STRENGTH
The LORD told Gideon, "With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home." So Gideon collected the provisions and rams' horns of the other warriors and sent them home. But he kept the 300 men with him. The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon. That night, the LORD said, "Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them!"
Judges 7:7-9 (NLT)
There's an old saying: there's strength in numbers. But in Gideon's case, strength came through obedience and trusting God's direction. Put yourself in Gideon's place and remember a time you tried to fight a battle in your own strength. Gideon probably thought his chances were good with 32,000 soldiers, but God reduced his army to just 300. That must have seemed discouraging. Yet God told Gideon to go with the strength He had. He wanted Gideon to understand that his own strength was not what mattered; the power behind him did. God was giving Gideon everything he needed to succeed. He told him, "I have given you victory over them!" God spoke in the present tense, not the future. His victory was never dependent on the size of his army, but on the faithfulness and power of God. He wanted Gideon to live from a place of victory, not defeat.
As humans, we often feel expected to be strong enough, smart enough and prepared enough to overcome whatever we face. Whether that standard comes from others or us, our strength eventually runs out. But when we ask God to demonstrate His strength through us, two things happen: God is glorified, and we are renewed. The Psalms remind us that God gives strength to His people. Where are you fighting in your own strength and finding you cannot win? Let a shift happen today. Depend on God and lead with the Kingdom strength only He can provide.
APPLICATION: Open your mind today about the battles you are facing. Are you attempting to have victory through your own strength or God's? Seek God and ask Him to demonstrate what Kingdom strength looks like and thank Him for His power and the victory He has already given!
PRAYER: Father, remind us today that victory was won not by our strengths but by our weaknesses! Thank You for fighting for us and reminding us of Your power and love. Amen
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?