There are Times When Less is More
It is so easy to get used to something that you never pay much attention to it when you come across it. I think a lot of Bible stories easily fall into this category. You grow up hearing the story of creation, the flood and crossing the red sea. Hearing the story of the fall of Jericho, Jesus walking on water, the dead being raised and so on, that the story seems to lose its awe.It takes pausing and reflecting to rediscover it. Such was the case for me with the story of Gideon and his 300 men. A real '300' movie where less turned out to be more in God's hands.Here is the story of a man who seemed to be a nobody. A story of a man now leading an army against the nation that had been bullying them. Yet somehow, rather than increasing the number of the supporting cast, God chose to shrink down the thousand man army to only 300 men. The story makes it clear God wanted to take credit for this victory.
But, it's tough to imagine what it felt like for Gideon to trust that with God less can be more.
The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ - Judges 7: 2 NIVAnd the Lord said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” - Judges 7: 7 NIV
As I rediscovered how truly mind blowing this story really is, I felt God challenge me. He challenges us to ponder what big or difficult things we may currently not be trusting him for.
The reflection went beyond what I was consciously doubtful or fearful about. It includes things I just didn't think to trust him for.
Related Post: Rise Up!
Pause and think. What is your 300 men story brewing? Maybe there is a situation you feel shorthanded and you have simply accepted it for what it is. It might not be front of mind right now, but God is calling you to trust Him. Those are the kinds of stories God loves to be at the center at.