Gideon

We are at war! Our faith is being tested like never before! We're enduring incredibly challenging times — PLACE YOUR TRUST IN GOD! Do not let fear or discouragement take over. Whatever happens, DO NOT STOP WATCHING! Keep pressing on! Jesus is coming! KEEP LOOKING UP!

This is the amazing story of Gideon in Judges 7 and how God chose the army to fight against the Midianites.

Israel's situation in the Promised Land had become unbearable, with their enemies causing great struggles. They cried out to the Lord in desperation, and in His mercy, God sent Gideon. He was the humble and obedient son of a farmer, not a powerful, influential, or highly educated figure, but someone whom God could use. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon. He was prepared for the task God had called him to, which was to free Israel from the Midianites. He blew his trumpet and sent out messengers to assemble an army of 32,000 men.

This is how God disqualified 31,700 out of the initial 32,000 men, leaving only 300 men for battle, after two tests.

First test: God said to Gideon: 'Announce to the people that anyone who is fearful and afraid should let him return home.' After Gideon delivered His surprising message, 22,000 men left — over two-thirds of his forces!

Second test: God said to Gideon: 'Bring them down to the water’s edge, and I will test them there.' The Lord had another test to further purge the ranks, which only He and Gideon knew about. When the men went to drink beside the water, the Lord told Gideon that every man who knelt down and drank with his mouth in the water should be sent home. But those who lifted the water in one hand to drink would be chosen for battle. 9,700 men were sent home, leaving only 300 men to become the army that God would use. What kind of tests did the 300 men pass?

1. THE TEST OF TRUSTING THE LORD: God saw that 22,000 men were placing their trust in themselves. Their faith was not in Him or His word. They did not wholeheartedly believe that God would save them and grant them victory — instead, they relied on their own strength, which failed when confronted by an army "as numerous as locusts".

2. THE TEST OF WATCHING: 9,700 men were distracted from drinking water to satisfy their own thirst. The men who faithfully kept their eyes open, remaining watching for the enemy at all times, while leaving the other hand free to use their weapons, were deemed worthy to join God's army.

WHO PASSED THE TEST? Those who put their hearts and lives in God's hands and kept "watching". TRUST AND WATCH!!! We all want to be part of God's army! So, even when things get tough during this time, we've got to trust Him!

Keep your eyes locked on Jesus! Sip from His Word with one hand, and be ready to pull out that sword when the enemy comes knocking. Stay focused, trust in Jesus, and don't let distractions sidetrack you! KEEP LOOKING UP!!

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IF YOU ARE NOT IN CHRIST AND YOU ARE NOT WATCHING FOR HIS GLORIOUS APPEARING, PLEASE, GET SAVED RIGHT NOW!

HE'S COMING FOR HIS CHURCH AND HE WANTS YOU TO BE PART OF IT! Believe Jesus is the Son of God, who shed His blood for you, died on the cross for our sins, He was buried and resurrected during the third day, according to the Scriptures, so we can have eternal life with Him.

When you believe in Him and that He died for your sins - you're saved, justified, sealed until the day of redemption, and rapture ready! The Holy Spirit will come to live inside of you - He will help, guide, change, and be with you FOREVER!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)