VERSE:
The Lord said to Gideon, “you have too many people for me to hand the Midianites over to you, or else Israel might brag: ‘I did it myself’”
— Judges 7:2 (HCSB)

THOUGHT:
God’s power is seen in man’s weakness. God didn’t want Israel to take over Midian just for the sake of taking over Midian. He wanted to display His power, and He couldn’t do that with all of Gideon’s men because Israel might be tempted to say “I did it myself”. He wanted them to be in a desperate situation so that when they experienced victory, all the glory would be given to God.

Sometimes I stop and ask myself, “How much of what we do in the church could be done if God lifted His hand?” Sad to say, I think that much of what we do could carry on as normal. We put far too much confidence in natural things that many of our church growth strategies look no different than most business growth strategies. If we can have enough money, the right people, the right publicity, the right speaker and the right music, we can fill a building! And we wonder why we don’t see our culture turning to Jesus – because they don’t see the power of God!

God loves to do more with less so that He gets all the glory and no one can say “I did it myself”. The question we are left with is: are we willing to be put in desperate situations that only God could accomplish so that He gets all the glory? Or, are we to comfortable with the fact that we can always fall back on our own efforts?

APPLICATION:
Don’t be impressed with much of the glitz and glam that can be seen in the American Church. Put no stock in the flesh. When the mission seems impossible, when the chosen seem unlikely and when the road looks too steep, trust in God and praise Him because He will get all the glory when His purposes are fulfilled.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I confess that much of the time I find comfort in my own ability, rather than finding rest in you in spite of my inability. Help me rely more on you in every aspect of my life. Free me from the sin of trusting in natural strength over seeking your glory through natural weaknesses. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN!