Boaz has compassion

7When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned—and there was a woman lying at his feet!

9“Who are you?” he asked.

“I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer^b of our family.”

10“The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. 12Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. 13Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the Lord lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” (Ruth 3)

Thoughts: Ruth was trying to provide for her and her mother-in-law.  She waited til Boaz was celebrating the harvest and laid at Boaz's feet.  Boaz did not ignore her or rebuke her for wanting to get help.  Boaz was someone blessed by God who sought to be generous with the gifts he had received.  This gives us all a good example of using the blessings God has given us.  We should seek to be a kind and generous people for God has been kind and generous to us. 

Prayer: Lord, let me not seek to put others down but to help others up.   

Kindness to Ruth

2And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”

Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek...

8So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. 9Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.”

Thoughts: The Lord blessed Boaz and he passed that blessing on to Ruth who  passed the blessing onto Naomi.  Ruth was willing to go out and do the most menial work- gleaning leftover from from he fields.  Boaz heard of Ruth's kindness and sought to bless her.  When we are kind, the word spreads.  Let us seek to serve and be kind to those in need. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your kindness to me given through others. 

Ruth the Servant

No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me!”

14At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.

15“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”

16But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” 18When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. (Ruth 1)

Thoughts: Ruth and Naomi lived in the time of the judges (c. 1100 BC).  Ruth was a Moabitis.  The Moabites worshiped the god Chemosh who required human sacrifice.  Ironically, Ruth's son would be the grandfather of King David of Israel- and would have no chance of being sacrificed because he was in Israel.  Ruth was a convert to the worship of the Lord, the God of Israel.  Ruth had nothing to give to Naomi but the hope of food (there was a famine in Moab) and the hope of God.  She had no son and no fortune promised to her.  In reality the future looked like Ruth would end up taking care of Naomi as she aged.  But Ruth trusted in the Lord, and was willing to whole-heartedly and sacrificially serve Naomi.  It is this will to serve a fellow human being who had nothing to offer but faith that God blessed.  It is always those who are humble and sacrifice themselves that God blesses best. 

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see someone to help and serve.  Help me to give myself to them wholeheartedly in your name.  

Naomi the Bitter Woman

1In the days when the judges ruled,^a there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

3Now Elimelek, Naomi’s husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years,5both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.

19So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?”

20“Don’t call me Naomi,^b ” she told them. “Call me Mara,^c because the Almighty^d has made my life very bitter. 21I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted^e me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”

CHAPTER 4...

14The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!15He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

16Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. 17The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Thoughts: "Naomi" means "pleasant" but when she got back home she asked that they change her name to "Mara" which means "bitter."  She lost her husband and both sons.  They had moved to Moab and Moab was in the midst of a famine.  She had to come back home to her people, but she came back with nothing. 
     However, Ruth, her daughter-in-law stayed with her mother-in-law out of sheer mercy and kindness.  Ruth ended up marrying Boaz and then had a son who became the grandfather of David the greatest king in Israelite history.  The Lord changed Naomi from bitter to pleasant again.  God can change things around.  He is the lifter of our heads as He lifted Naomi's head.  

Prayer: Lord, in the tough times of life, help me to remember you are the lifter of my head.  

When Moral Authority is Lacking

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. (Judges 17:6 also Judges 21:25)

Thoughts: This is a seminal verse for the time of the Judges.  It is a verse that would describe our day as well.  People this idea that no one has the right to tell us what to do or what to believe.  We act as if one person's judgement is as good as another.
     But if God is THE king and THE judge who holds us accountable for how we live, The One who made us can direct us.  He can and tell us how is best to live as we are made to live.  God not only has the ability and right, but has actually told us if we will listen.
     There was moral chaos, disrespect of human life, and consistent inconsistency and lack of purpose and perseverance.  When people feel there is no ultimate authority or truth there is little ultimate meaning or purpose or hope.  This is true in our day, and it show in angst, anxiety, and depression.  One third of the American population (40 million) face chronic anxiety because they are over-worked and under-purposed. We all need purpose and meaning for out of that comes hope.  God is the ultimate deliverer of this hope.  

Prayer: Lord, in a purposeless time, help me to live on purpose. 

Samson'a Sacrifice

  21Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. 22But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

23Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, “Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands.”

24When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying,

“Our god has delivered our enemy

into our hands,

the one who laid waste our land

and multiplied our slain.”

25While they were in high spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them.

When they stood him among the pillars, 26Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” 27Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. (Judges 16)

Thoughts: Samson was proud and now he is utterly humbled as he forsook his vow to God.  But in the end he cried out to God.  God did not save him physically, but He saved Samson spiritually.  Samson cared not for himself physically any more.  he sacrificed himself for the freedom of his people.  This is a lesson for all of us.  

Prayer: Lord, let me be willing to give myself for your glory.  

Samson's Downfall

4Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah.5The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels^a of silver.”

6So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.”

7Samson answered her, “If anyone ties me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I’ll become as weak as any other man.”

8Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. 9With men hidden in the room, she called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.

10Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied.”

11He said, “If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I’ll become as weak as any other man.” (Judges 16)

Thoughts: Samson had a weakness for women who looked good.  His first wife (and her father) betrayed him to the Philistines. The prostitute in Gaza almost caused him to get trapped.  Now Delilah betrayed him at least three times.  The amazing thing is he did not seem to learn a lesson.  He was blinded- not by love but by lust.  The Philistine rulers offered her a lifetime of riches (the equivalent of 275 slaves).  She valued money more than Samson.  Each time when he told her a tale of how he would become weak she would bind him accordingly then pretend she was warning him against the Philistines.  In the end, Samson broke his vow to God and lost not only his hair, but his faith and his strength. 
    The lesson does not remain with Samson alone.  We all need to be careful that we do not value our lusts over our love for God.  Samson was clearly fascinated with what he could see- like strength and beauty; and what he could feel physically and emotionally.  But he became blind to God.  In the end they arrested Samson and put out his eyes making fun of him.  

Prayer: Lord, let me value you more than life- for without you I would not have life nor a reason to live.  

Samson and the Gates

1One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. 2The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, “At dawn we’ll kill him.”

3But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. (Judges 16)

Thoughts: This is a classic Samson story.  God uses Samson's poor choices to defeat the people of Israel's enemies.  Samson chose to go to a pagan city.  He chose to spend the night with a prostitute.  Probably this was a temple prostitute that is used in pagan worship.  This was definitely a bad choice.  But God used this for Samson to tear the gates off of the town of Gaza. 
     I believe this teaches us that God can use our sin to bring about good.  This is usually the case.  We should not seek sin, but we should not think that sin has the last word and stop there.  

Prayer: Lord, use my sins to mold me and mold the world into your will.  

Samson's Marriage Troubles

1Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”

3His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” (Judges 14:1-3)

1Later on, at the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said, “I’m going to my wife’s room.” But her father would not let him go in.

2“I was so sure you hated her,” he said, “that I gave her to your companion. Isn’t her younger sister more attractive? Take her instead.”

3Samson said to them, “This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.” 4So he went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs. He then fastened a torch to every pair of tails, 5lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines. He burned up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves. (Judges 15)

Thoughts: Samson was feeling apologetic that he had lost his temper over the riddle of the lion's honey.  He had felt betrayed by his wife, but he sought to make things right by bringing her flowers....er- a young goat. The pagan father just gave his wife to the best man in his wedding, thinking Samson had abandoned her.  In response, Samson destroyed the crops of the Philistines.  The Philistine soldiers demanded Samson be handed over to them.  But in handing Samson over, Samson broke loose and killed a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey.  In his "Incredible-Hulk-like anger"  Samson had set the Israelites free. 
    Samson chose his wife simply by the way she looked. He ignored his parents' warning.  Love is more than strength and beauty.  But Samson sounds here like Garcon of Beauty and the Beast fame claiming that he wanted Belle because she was the most beautiful and he was the most handsome.  Spiritual and mental compatibility is important in a relationship.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to be patient to find the person you have for me. Help me to see that life is more than the way it appears on the surface.  

Samson's beginning

1Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”

3His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”

But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” 4(His parents did not know that this was from the Lord, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.)

5Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. 6The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done. 7Then he went down and talked with the woman, and he liked her.

8Some time later, when he went back to marry her, he turned aside to look at the lion’s carcass, and in it he saw a swarm of bees and some honey. 9He scooped out the honey with his hands and ate as he went along. When he rejoined his parents, he gave them some, and they too ate it. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey from the lion’s carcass.

10Now his father went down to see the woman. And there Samson held a feast, as was customary for young men. 11When the people saw him, they chose thirty men to be his companions.

12“Let me tell you a riddle,” Samson said to them. “If you can give me the answer within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes. 13If you can’t tell me the answer, you must give me thirty linen garments and thirty sets of clothes.”

“Tell us your riddle,” they said. “Let’s hear it.”

14He replied,

“Out of the eater, something to eat;

out of the strong, something sweet.” (Judges 14)

Thoughts: Samson was a great man.  He is famous for his physical strength.  His parents raised him b y a strict vow, but he rebelled against that time and again while keeping his faith.  He married outside Israel- with his main criteria as her looks.  He broke the law about coming near a dead animal.  He broke the law over and over.  But God used him despite his spiritual weaknesses.  

    So we need to be gracious recognizing that God can use sinners to accomplish his purposes. 

Prayer: Lord, strengthen me not just physically but spiritually.  

Gideon's Downfall

25They answered, “We’ll be glad to give them.” So they spread out a garment, and each of them threw a ring from his plunder onto it. 26The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to seventeen hundred shekels,^b not counting the ornaments, the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian or the chains that were on their camels’ necks. 27Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. (Judges 8)

Thoughts: The ephod was a piece of clothing the priest used to tell God's will.  There was a Urim and Thummin that only the priest could use to basically discern a yes or no answer from God.  Gideon was always wanting to know God's will and he doubted it too much.  So he decided to make his own way of discerning God's will- his own ephod made of gold (cf. Ex. 28:6).  In the end, people started worshiping the ephod as an idol.  Anything- even good things- can turn into an idol.  The same thing happened with the snake Moses had Aaron make.  It was a good thing that people eventually worshiped and became a snare to them.  There are many good things that turn evil and sour if we start giving ourselves to them more than God.  Some worship education as their god; Some worship their work as god;  some worship their family as god; some worship their things- house, car, boat as god;  Some give more to try to get things they don't need with money they don't have to impress people they don't like (as Dave Ramsey says).  

Prayer: Lord, let me love you and only you with my whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. 

Giving Up Kingship

22The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”

23But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” (Judges 8)

Thoughts: Earthly rule is necessary but fickle.  A ruler may be loved one minute and hated the next. Gideon saved the people of God in a miraculous way.  In gratitude and in an effort for more of his protection, they offered him a monarchy. 
     Gideon turned them down as Jesus did (as recorded in John 6:15, after the feeding of the five thousand).  It is a bit reminiscent of how some of George Washington's officers offered him a kingship but he turned them down. 
      After Gideon died, the Israelites forgot his sons (8:35), but they more importantly forgot the God that Gideon had called them back to worship.   Gideon's humility was amazing.  But even Gideon was a sinner.  But he was willing to value God's glory over his won honor. Gideon knew the real king is Jesus.  We should recognize that as well.  

Prayer: Lord, let me value your glory over my glory.  

Handling Grumblers and Doubters

1Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they challenged him vigorously.

2But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? 3God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided.

4Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. 5He said to the men of Sukkoth, “Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”

6But the officials of Sukkoth said, “Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your troops?”

7Then Gideon replied, “Just for that, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with desert thorns and briers.” (Judges 8)

Thoughts: Gideon was a diplomat.  He knew when to be gracious and he knew when to get tough.  He was gracious to those who were willing to help.  Ephraim was the largest of the northern tribes, and he needed their help for lasting peace.  So he handled their grumbling about the timing of their call very diplomatically so that they felt needed, a part of things, and he pacified their anger. 

But he also was tough.  The difference between Ephraim and Sukkoth is that the Ephraimites wanted to fight- their question was about the timing.  The men of Sukkoth were in effect and fact allying themselves with the Midianites- afraid of their wrath.   But they should have chosen the Lord's side.  It does make a difference if you choose the Lord or not.  It makes a difference if you put faith in the Lord or faith in those who oppose Him and His ways.  

Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom in handling complaints and doubts.  Help me to know when to be gracious and when to be firm.  

God Builds Confidence

7The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.

13Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”

14His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”

15When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”  (Judges 7)

Thoughts: Gideon did not have much confidence.  He was hiding from the Midianites in a winepress while he was threshing wheat.  He told God that he felt abandoned by Him.  He told God that he was the smallest family member from the smallest clan in his tribe.  He was nervous and wanted God to show him he was real- and he did so by consuming a sacrifice and making two specific signs with a wool fleece.  God was very patient with Gideon as He is with us. 
     God told Gideon He could win with only 300 men against an army of 135,000.  He was also told to go into the Midianite camp and hear them mention that they had a dream that made them afraid of Gideon and his men.  God was building courage up in Gideon so that he would win the day. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are patient and kind to those who want to do your will and help your people.    

Gideon's Tests

17Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.”

And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return.”

19Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah^a of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.

20The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. 21Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!”

23But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”

36Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— 37look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.

39Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. (Judges 6)

Thoughts:  Gideon was someone who God made into a mighty warrior.  But Gideon had many doubts.  The angel of God came to Gideon and Gideon said, "The Lord has abandoned us."  But clearly God was there.  Later Gideon would go into the camp out of fear to hear what the Midianites were dreaming.  He was doubting and a bit insecure. 
     Gideon asked for a sign, and the offering he offered the Lord was consumed with fire.
     Then Gideon asked for a fleece sign.  He first asked for dew only on the fleece and not on the ground (and that happened).  Then he asked for dew only on the ground and not on the fleece (and that happened).  God was gracious to Gideon.  Normally we are not to test the Lord our God.  God is able to give a sign.  But we are called to have faith in God without signs.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to grow in trust in you and in the calling you give me to glorify you in my life.  

The Little God Needs

14The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

15“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

16The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”...

 2The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

4But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”...

7The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. (Judges 6 & 7)

Thoughts: Gideon did not feel adequate.  He was fearful, insecure, anxious and sad.  He felt he was a nobody trying to save his people from a way-too-powerful enemy.  But God prefers to pick the humble to show His glory.  It is the meek who will inherit the earth.  It was the shepherd, David, who became the greatest king.  It was the virgin in a small backwoods town who bore the Son of God.  God uses the small to do great things. 
     Then God showed He can do things without strength in numbers.  The Midianites numbered 135,000 in their army.  The 32,000 that the Israelites could muster meant they were still outnumbered 4:1.  When the fearful left (22,000 or 2/3 of the army), the ratio went from 13.5: 1.  But in the end it was 500:1.  It is not the sophistication of the weapon or the number in the army that assures the victory.  God had spread fear in the camp so that when the Midianites saw 300 torches and heard 300 trumpets and shouts- they panicked and ran for their lives. 
     In our anxious and insecure time when we are uncertain of the future with chemical weapons or a North Korean nuclear missile, we can rest in the confidence we have in God.  It cannot be based on a half faith- but in a pure faith like Gideon had.  God was gracious and taught Gideon and Israel to put their faith in Him. If we put the little we have in God's hands, amazing things happen.  

Prayer: Lord, let me find my faith and confidence and peace in you.