Recapping our last study, we saw God’s patience toward Gideon as he needed the signs to make sure it was God calling him to lead Israel into battle.
God knows the heart and he was patient but God already had the plan in place and He would fight the battle for them. For us today, it’s ok to seek confirmation, but once it is given we have to move forward as well. There is a lot of fear today because of the cultural movements that have the loud voice of the media on their side.
The interesting thing is the actual numbers or percentage of people who are political and cultural activists, are not that high. These are all driven by the demonic realm and appear to be bigger and louder than they actually are, but greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world. This is a spiritual battle not a fleshly one and we need to understand that.
Ephesians 6:12-13
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
This battle is fought with His armor and by His hand, but we have to remain faithful to the full counsel of God’s word, continually in prayer and led by the Spirit to know our place in the battle. Once this is confirmed, we must go where He sends us. For Gideon, once it was confirmed, in his heart and mind, he is ready to go but one problem, his army was too big. God knew Israel would get the big head and claim this victory for themselves and God does not share His glory.
So this week we pick up at the point where God whittles down the army.
