Can you imagine being in Gideon’s spot when the Lord called upon him to deliver Israel from the oppressive circumstances placed on Israel? Gideon couldn’t imagine it either. Consequently, he respectively puts the Lord to four tests; the Lord “passed” them. Then, when it was time for Gideon to get a move on, the Lord put him to His own tests in two areas: faith and courage.

                Gideon was prepared to serve the Lord with an army of 30,000 men, but the Lord pared that down to 1% of that number, or 300 men. With those 300 men he was to defeat a force of 135,000 men (Judges 8:10)! The numerical odds were greatly stacked against him, but with the Lord on one’s side, how could such an army stand a prayer! It was not Gideon who won the victory, but the Lord who used Gideon to serve a greater purpose.

When we are tested in our faith and courage, exactly how do we respond? Maybe we have the courage to tackle what needs to be met head on, but do we have the faith that the Lord will bring victory? Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV). RT