What
do you have too many of today? Too many bills? Too many wrinkles?
Too many problems? Sunday we read of a situation in Judges 7, when
there were too many people! In a small fellowship like
Covenant LIFE, we are always hoping for more people,
not less! We want to grow. We want to EXPAND! Due to our very
nature, most people have the tendency to believe that bigger is
better...but in the story of Gideon VS. the Midianites, bigger was
DEFINITELY NOT BETTER! God actually had Gideon make some cuts in his
army...when the army they were facing (Midian) far out numbered his
mere 32,000! However, God didn't approve of 32,000...in fact, He
revealed to Gideon why. God told Gideon that there would be a
tendency of the people to take credit for the VICTORY they were
going to experience as a result of HIS favor...if they were 32,000
strong. God wasn't, isn't, and never will be o.k. with allowing us
to receive the glory He is due! So...God had Gideon to relieve those
who were afraid from their duty, allowing them to go home. A
whopping 22,000 went home! Ouch! That had to be painful to Gideon's
sense of logic! Why, the Midianites and Amalekites had so many
camels, they were as numerous as the sands of the sea! What was God
thinking!? He had in mind a plan...HIS PLAN! How often do we
feel a little intimidated by the opposition? How often do we feel
out numbered? How often do we feel like running away? Probably a lot
more than we are willing to admit! But don't worry! God understands
us. He knows our tendencies. He makes a way, when there seems not to
be one! That's exactly what He did with Gideon! He made a way for
him to defeat the Midianites and Amalekites...but not with the
10,000 soldiers who remained! God still needed LESS! Sometimes that
is what God wants from us...LESS! He wants less of our
opinion...less of our ideas...less of our feelings...and less of our
planning! Instead, He wants more of our obedience...more of
our faithfulness...more of our heart! Gideon was left with
only 300 men to fight against a huge army of warriors! But it was
enough. It was enough to do the will of God. It was enough to rely
on the plan God had! When the time came, the 300 who remained, broke
their pitchers, held up their torches, blew their trumpets, and then
yelled, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon"! It worked!
The enemy began to destroy each other! They began to flee...the
emboldened army of the Lord pursued...AND PREVAILED! God wants us to
pursue! He wants us to prevail in life! Whatever you are facing
today, God knows all about it. You need not be afraid. You need not
worry. God is waiting to bring you victory! God wants to bless your
life with His power! I encourage you to try a new strategy in life.
A strategy which is not new, but IS revolutionary! It's called,
"Word LIFE Strategy". Begin to take every situation you
face to the Word of God...ask the Lord to reveal HIS Truth for that
situation. Walk according to what the Lord shows you in scripture.
Be emboldened. Be encouraged. Be built up in your faith! Seize
victory! Walk in it! Breathe it in, and then breathe it out on
others! "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the
Word of God." Romans 10:17 (NKJV) Until next time, be blessed
with GOD'S BEST!
Your
Brother in Ministry,
Greg McCowen
P.S. - Bring someone with you this Sunday ...see what the Lord will
do!
Covenant Life Fellowship - Lubbock
Church - (806) 771-4244
