Judges 7:9-14 - God has a way to see us through

We serve an all-knowing God, who knows exactly where we are, what assurance we need, and how to bring us into victory. He certainly knew all about Gideon who was still struggling with trepidation. The task assigned to him to do was not a small one. So, God made a provision to help him overcome his anxiety. He knew that he needed someone to go with him to spy out the enemy camp. God told him to take his servant Purah along to the enemy camp where He was ready to do something to allay his fear. The accompaniment of Purah reminds us of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. We are told by Solomon that “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lies down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” God knew it all along so He gave him Purah to support him.

So that night, Gideon and Purah made their journey into the camp of the Midianites. God wanted him to hear an account of a man who had a dream that would strengthen his servant’s resolve and give him confidence. God made allowance for our frailty. Psalm 103:14 tells us that “He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.” So, He would deal with us not according to our flaws but according to His mercy towards us.  Of course, Gideon on his part had to be honest with himself. He knew he needed assurance and should not act as if he was fearless. He must have considered the fact that he had only 300 men while the enemy had a very huge force.

Taking Purah with him, Gideon came to one of the outposts of the Midianites in the valley of Jezreel. An unusual event took place when he came within earshot. One Midianite was recounting to another about a dream that he had. In that dream, he said, “Behold, I had a dream; a loaf of barley bread was tumbling into the camp of Midian, and it came to the tent and struck it so that it fell, and turned it upside down so that the tent lay flat.” And his friend interpreted the dream for him saying, “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand.”

Just imagine how specific the interpretation was. Even Gideon’s name was mentioned. God has a way to help us to quell our anxiety. Remember, God is faithful. With every trial, he has already made provision so that we will not be defeated in a single score. Hallelujah!