“When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, “Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!” 16 He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it. 17 Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. 18 As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’ 19 It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars. 20 Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21 Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. 22 When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords.” Judges 7:15-22 NLT
Lord of Order and disorder,
The three hundred men trusted Gideon had heard form God or they would never have followed him into the enemy camp armed with a jar a torch and a trumpet. No hand free for holding a weapon!?
Sometimes we have to look for Your plan forward even if it does not seem the most sensible. And be in unity so God can command the blessing (Psalm 133:3). Even here, deep in the book of endless, random Judges, we see You have a plan. They were to keep their eyes on Gideon, their Saviour, as we should keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). To praise you by voice or with instruments (Hebrews 13:15). Break the clay jars as we are clay jars that must die to self (Luke 9:24) and hold the light of Christ for all to see (Matthew 5:16).
I love the story of Gideon, the three hundred and Your plan for victory. We seek Your face, and praise Your name and ask that You would bring to nothing those who would oppose the gospel of Your Son. And that this Easter, and every day, Your Light would stream from heaven into many new hearts and through Your people into our families and the world.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 9th April 2025
We have a mighty wonderful God.
Well, everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Well, everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations
Saviour, He can move the mountains
And my God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
And fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
And now I surrender, I surrender
Chorus . . . |
Lyrics: Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan