Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 26 June 2025:
Judges 7:1–3 — Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early… 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.’”
God reduces Gideon’s army not because He needs fewer soldiers, but because He wants Israel to see that victory is His work alone. This is a lesson in dependence. Human pride often claims God’s victories as self-earned. Like Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” God wants His people humble, not heroic. We must often be stripped of self-confidence before we become useful in God’s hands.
Judges 7:4–8 — And the Lord said… “The people are still too many.”…
Judges 7:4-8 — “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there.” … And the Lord said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you….”
There is a difference between being willing and being worthy. God sifted 32,000 to find 300 who were both willing to follow God’s lead into the fight and who possessed the inner strength, courage, and discipline to be entrusted with the task. Within the original 32,000 who formed for battle with Gideon, only 10,000 were willing to stay when given a choice. However, at the watering hole, only 300 proved to have the character to participate in God’s great battle.
Desert thirst revealed the discipline, self-control, and fortitude of the troops (or lack thereof). Most of the troops, inwardly focused, lost their bearing at the watering hole, abandoned their security posture and essentially dove into the water; meanwhile, 300, who were just as thirsty as the others, knelt at the water, likely with weapons in hand at the ready and, in a controlled, disciplined manner, drank calmly. These 300 revealed the strength of character required for God’s service.
God wanted his people to understand that it was His power, not theirs, that would bring victory, but He would use their discipline, courage, and obedience in the process, giving them the opportunity to experience Him in a way few others would. Discipline, daily sacrifices required to maintain and develop character over time, is an act of faith, which God will honor. Disciples have discipline.
– 1 Corinthians 9:27 — But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
– Proverbs 6:23 — For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life….
– 2 Timothy 1:7 — For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
After God’s sifting, the 300 took the signaling devices (trumpets and torches) used for directing 30,000+ troops and surrounded the Midianites in the middle of the night. When Gideon’s 300 broke the jars concealing the torches, shouted, and blew their trumpets, the Midianites and their allies believed they were being attacked on all sides by 30,000 (each trumpet and torch was perceived to be a leader directing the night movement of 100 troops as was the tactic of the time); in their panic they turned on each other and fled. Gideon’s army then pursued the enemy as far as they could. Over 120,000 enemy were killed. This bold and daring shock attack required perfect execution on the part of every member of the 300. They had to be wholly reliable. They had to have uncommon discipline, courage, and commitment. They had to be more than willing to serve God, they had to be worthy. The difference was discipline. The discipline of a true disciple.
Discipline is the force multiplier and game changer that separates the strong from the weak. Discipline (self-control) is the fruit of the Spirit that draws from your true passions, your desire to love Jesus rather than to seek comfort. Discipline is developed day-by-day but pays off when the hard times or big challenges come. If you don’t develop your discipline today, you won’t have it when you really need it. “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” (Proverbs 24:10)
Gideon’s final force is laughably small by military standards, but perfectly sized for God’s glory. This echoes 1 Corinthians 1:27–29: “God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong… so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” Victory begins with surrender—not only to God’s will, but to His way.
Judges 7:9–11 — That same night the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down… for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid… go down to the camp with Purah your servant.”
God, in compassion, anticipates Gideon’s fear and gives him a path to reassurance. God doesn’t shame the fearful; He strengthens them. Like Jesus with Thomas, He doesn’t reject those who need confirmation—He meets them with grace. Faith grows through experience with God’s faithfulness, not instant bravery. God understands that trust is built.
Judges 7:12–15 — And when Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream… “I dreamed… a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp… and struck it… This is no other than the sword of Gideon… God has given the camp into his hand.”
Gideon overhears enemy soldiers interpreting a dream in his favor. Even the enemy recognizes that victory belongs to God. The image of a rolling barley loaf—small, unimpressive—symbolizes Gideon’s weak force overwhelming Midian. God’s power can make even a loaf of bread bring down a tent. This moment changes Gideon: he worships (v. 15) and returns with confidence. God gives us glimpses of His sovereignty to fuel our faith in moments of decision.
Judges 7:16–18 — And he divided the 300 men into three companies… “When I blow the trumpet… then blow the trumpets also… and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”
Gideon’s plan uses no swords—only trumpets, jars, and torches. Remember, Gideon’s army originally started with 32,000 men. Trumpets and torches were used to signal and control large numbers of troops in battle. When the 300 blow their trumpets and exposed their torches, the enemy would have assumed they had been surprised and surrounded by 30,000 troops.
The “weapons” are symbolic: light in jars (hidden but revealed), a unified shout, and sound that brings confusion. God’s methods defy military logic because the battle is spiritual, not just physical. 2 Corinthians 10:4 reminds us: “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh.” God’s power often flows through unconventional means, but always points back to Him.
Judges 7:19–22 — Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars… They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets… and they cried out… Every man stood in his place… and the Lord set every man’s sword against his comrade.
The enemy turns on itself in panic. Israel simply watches. This is divine deliverance. When God fights for His people, they need only stand firm (see Exodus 14:13–14). What began in fear ends in awe. Gideon, who once hid in a winepress, now watches God rout an army with noise and light. Our role is not to win the battle, but to trust and obey the Commander.
Judges 7:23–25 — And the men of Israel were called out… to pursue Midian. And they captured the waters… and they captured the two princes… and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon.
The chapter ends with a pursuing army finishing what God began. Victory always requires participation—even when the power is God’s. God delivers, but He includes His people in the unfolding plan. After spiritual breakthroughs, we must still act, clean up, and remain vigilant. Like Philippians 2:12–13 teaches, we work out our salvation because God is at work in us.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 26 June 2025: Let God reduce your strength so He can increase your trust. Gideon’s journey is a masterclass in learning to depend entirely on God. He didn’t start with courage, but with fear. He didn’t win by strategy, but by surrender. What is God stripping away in your life right now—resources, confidence, comfort—so that you’ll lean on Him fully? Don’t fear the reductions. Let God trim away what tempts you to boast. Trust Him, obey even when afraid, and stand still to watch Him fight your battles.
Pray: “Lord, reduce me to what glorifies You. Strip away every false confidence and teach me to trust Your power, not my plans. Give me the courage to obey even when the odds are against me, knowing that You fight for those who follow You in faith. I surrender to Your way today—use my weakness to display Your strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 