In Pursuit, Despite the Circumstances
Gideon and his three hundred men,
exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit,
came to the Jordan and crossed it.
Judges 8:4
In the 8th Chapter of Judges, we find the Man of God in pursuit of enemies from the east. Their numbers, according to the passage are upwards of 15 thousand men; soldiers to be more specific, yet Gideon is leading a band of men to capture them and destroy them.
Here we take our first pause. Gideon displays the power and position those of us who walk in Spiritual authority should have. He trims the fat (as God instructs), and takes those with faith forward to battle the enemy. Looking past the numbers and the past battle history, Gideon guides his men on their trail, determined to carry out the Lords directions in His life.
I wonder how many of us would have the courage to pursuit 15 thousand with 300?
They were outnumbered times 50, but at God’s Word, were willing to face whomever God placed in their path. Numbers are not always reflective of power, nor do they always predict victory. Normally numbers project fear upon the opposition, but Gideon projected faith on his fears.
What could we accomplish if we looked at the “lack of” in our life and “enough”? What would happen if we changed our perspective on our situations and circumstances, and counted God’s Word enough, despite what is in our hands, or even the fear that is in our hearts? How much could we accomplish if we focused on utilizing the tools in our hand as opposed to being paralyzed with fear as to the things we would like to have for the task. With God Word and the power of His Spirit, we are conquerors!
As we find, they are not just outnumbered, but they are lacking resources. As usual, the story for us all, life seems to have many layers, and the to be saturated with challenges! They have already expended their resources on the journey, but pressed on through their faith and with strong dedicated leadership. The text lets us know that the men were exhausted from the journey, and their bodies ached, craving fuel to continue. One could imagine further that they were struggling to stay focused. Now the question is not whether they can beat the Midionites once they face them, but whether they will survive to even take up the task!
Exhausted and Focused don’t go together!
One of the first things to go when one is exhausted is their focus on the task at hand. One can find themselves moving from faith to doubt, as they begin questioning not just God, but the leader as to when and where the next provision was coming from. This issue plagued Moses as he lead God’s people. The hunger brought questions, causing them to loose sight of God’s Word, and doubt the Man of God because of the present lack of provisions. They wanted to turn back. They started questioning Moses as a leader. They questioned God’s plan for their lives, and decided that bondage would be better than freedom.
Lack will make Suffering seem like Serenity!
Never the less, the text says they remained in pursuit. As opposed to coming a part at the seams, they remembered the Word of God, and stayed focused on the leadership of Gideon and approached the Jordan.
This is important, because they are not just tasked with crossing the Jordan, they are tasked with crossing the Jordan, and fighting the Midionites who number 15 thousand. I imagine that many doubted they could overcome this number with a full night of rest and a hearty breakfast, let alone, use their remaining energy to cross a river and then take on their numbers times 50.
But something amazing happens when you are on a mission for the Lord. God had spoken through the man of God, revealing himself in miracles, letting the people know that God was with Gideon, and in that, was leading them. Because they knew this, they were not only counting on their strength, and obviously were finding safety in their numbers, but were solely leaning upon God do bring them to and through they battle. Truly they believed that the battle was not theirs, but that it was the Lords.
What would happen if we truly believed?
How many times have you stood at the bank of the river, and determined that crossing it was more than you could handle? How many victories? How much stronger? What would be accomplished? What has been left un-done?
I have determined in my life, Jordan wont be an issue! Exhaustion wont be an issue! Soldiers won’t be an issue! Midionites won’t be an issue! Truly if God be for me! I can do all things through Christ! It is never more than I can bare! I will remain in pursuit! I will capture! I will conquer! I will have dominion! It’s inevitable!
#PastorJDO3
