Victory - Gideon’s Way
by Malcolm Wood
The story of Gideon’s victory over the vast Midian army with just three hundred men is well known to many of us (Judges 7). Gideon’s obedience to God’s instructions and ‘way out’ strategy, and the ensuing victory, would no doubt be an experience which Gideon and his men remembered the rest of their lives, and prove to be a testimony to God’s power and faithfulness down through the ages.
For those of us in the 21st century who so often see and experience the attacks of the enemy and feel ill equipped to do anything about it, let’s take encouragement from this story of how God brings the victory, so long as we’re obedient to what He asks of us, however outlandish that may be, or however vulnerable it may make us.
Gideon and his men were to carry a ram’s horn trumpet, and a clay jar containing a light. Hardly the ultimate in warfare weaponry, even in Gideon’s day! God’s ways are so different to ours. At a given signal they were to blow the trumpets, break the jars and shout. God did the rest!
Sometimes God can be hindered in bringing about the victory we long for, due to our own self will and stubbornness. As in the case of Gideon’s jars there often needs to be a brokenness in our soulishness so that ‘this light and power that now shine within us’ (as Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 4:7) can be displayed. Paul continues ‘So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own’.
The brightness of God’s glory is seen more clearly in us as we are broken before Him and then, by allowing His power to enable us, we can take our place and stand and boldly declare the Word of God. This is what Gideon and his men did, and witnessed a miraculous victory. ‘A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!’ (Judges 7:18).
Prayer: Dear Lord, Please give me the faith to trust You more, and the willingness for my self will to be broken, so that Your light might be seen in me, and then might I stand firmly to boldly declare Your word. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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