CITY MOTIVATORS

 Here is the seventh of a series that I hope will be an encouragement to those who have a 'city focus'. 

City Motivators for City Lovers: SEVEN

Gideon and the 300

No doubt like me you have been giving thought to the year ahead. Wondering what this year holds for us. Praise God we can turn to the Scriptures for guidance and encouragement. Romans 15:4 says “...the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” 

In Gideon's time, Judges: 6-7, Israel was in dire straits. They were hiding in the mountains and caves while the Midianites and other nations camped on their land and destroyed their crops. But God heard their cry and found a man hiding in a wine press to be Israel's deliverer. Gideon, who thought himself to be the last person God would think of using was being called and equipped to deliver Israel. He took some convincing! Yes, God can use anyone, including you and me. Finally, Gideon said 'yes' to God. But first he had to destroy his father's idol and build an altar. Before God can fulfil his plans in us, our plans, our lives must be laid down afresh at the cross, our altar. Any hidden 'idols' we may have unwittingly inherited or entertained must be destroyed.

Yes, Gideon built an altar and destroyed his father’s idol but soon afterwards a great multitude, the Midianites and others, gathered in the valley of Jezreel to confront Israel. God made sure that Gideon was equipped to meet the challenge. The Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. God’s calling is God’s enabling. Gideon blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms; many came but God screened them and chose just 300 alert warriors. “.. God can win a battle, with many or few.” 1 Samuel 14:6.

For further encouragement Gideon was instructed to draw near the enemy camp, where he listened to a Midianite sharing his dream with another. He said, “in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down in the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat”. In response his companion said, “this can only mean one thing, God has given the victory to Gideon!”

Victory was assured. God had spoken ... the 300 stood their ground on the hill … 300 torches lit up the night sky ... the ram’s horns blew ... the victory was declared ... there was confusion in the enemy camp … the 'barley loaf' had demolished 'the great multitude' and the Midianites were defeated.

God had intervened and delivered Israel in the face of overwhelming odds. As we enter 2023, we too can experience victories in the face of over-whelming odds. Now, according to Acts 3:21 Jesus remains in heaven, “until the restoration of all things”. He sits at the Father’s right-hand waiting, “until His enemies become a footstool for His feet”. Psalm 110:1

In between now and then He is hearing the cry of His people who are being pillaged and robbed of their inheritance by the ‘Midianites’. Through Holy Spirit, He is in our midst raising up deliverers like Gideon. He is releasing a trumpet sound to his church, gathering and uniting His body until it becomes a light on a hill, in our cities and towns, one barley* loaf. An effective, close-knit, Spirit filled ecclesia, ready to overcome our adversaries.

“Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.” 2 Samuel‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬

All glory to Him who reigns on high.
Have a great year.
God bless. Colin

* Barley in Scripture represents resurrection life

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