I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Judges 7-8.

    When Gideon called out the warriors of the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali around 32,000 men responded to his call. However, this was too many for God’s plan. So God had him send most of them home. God’s plan called for Gideon to confront the Midianite army with only 300 warriors. When God calls us to a task He wants us, and everyone else, to know that our success is a result of God’s power. Our ability to accomplish God’s will is a product of our willingness to do God’s will. As I write this it sounds like God is a petulant child who wants credit for everything, but that is not the case. Take the example we have here of Gideon fighting against the Midianites. If Israel had been able to defeat the Midianites, God would not have needed to intervene and call forth Gideon. Yet, if Gideon had defeated the Midianites with an army of 32,000 warriors they would have thought it was their military prowess which carried the day. In Zechariah 4:6 God says, “It is not by force, nor by strength, but by My Spirit.” Another example of the idea I am getting at is the Crucifixion. Jesus’ victory came about by dying on the cross. His resurrection was merely evidence of His victory.