Judges 7:9-21 KJV
(9) And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
(10) But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:
(11) And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.
(12) And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
(13) And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.
(14) And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
(15) And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.
(16) And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.
(17) And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.
(18) When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
(19) So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.
(20) And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
(21) And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

Obeying God does not come easy, for it comes with the ability to trust and know that He will provide and deliver. The cross that Jesus went to does not seem like deliverance or God’s will when we think of Christ suffering only and not knowing the victory through the resurrection. Pain for the gain of God seems hard to grasp, but war for God is often meet with pain. This is one war that seems to have little suffering except for the enemies. Yet it came with the price of learning who’s authority has victory. God even gave the devil’s prophesy concerning the victory Gideon would have. Gideon needed encouragement in the next leg of the battle. Three hundred men had been chosen based on the way they drank water and now the Lord was directing Gideon to go in battle against a group of people that laid in the valley and looked as numerous as grasshoppers and their camels looked like the number of the sand of the sea.

If God’s Word be before you then what have you to lose. Jesus cross only meant victory was coming, Yet Gideon had fear and the Lord said if you fear, you and a servant go down and listen to the camp and what is being said. The enemy is talking about Gideon defeating them. Fear of man can cause one to be defeated without knowing who is in power. If you eyes are on the word of the Lord then you victory is just ahead. Yet what if you are listening to the word though and it time for your cross, our victory not usually now unless it is like Paul who was thought to be when stoned and people prayed and he arose to walk to the next village. We will rise again if it is time for our cross just will not necessarily be immediately or on the third day. Yet if we concentrate on God’s word to enable to protect us, then it will, if our cross is today then it protects us for eternity.

Yet Gideon’s test of faith was on hearing of the prophesy, of hearing the word of God before the prophesy. Knowing the victory was his though he had only a small number of men. He took those men on the top of the ridge and with pitchers, lamps and swords above the valley below he surround it. He told the men to listen and do what he did. Now for men to follow man, man must trust you are either on God’s side or you know what you are doing. Truth is do you know what you are doing, it matters not as long as God is the one giving instruction and your only choice is to obey. Gideon obeyed God and the men obeyed Gideon’s authority over them. Gideon broke his pitcher and it made a great racket that it woke the enemy. Then he shined his lamp and it look like many men surround the enemies camp. And if that was not enough Gideon then sounded his trumpet and the sound of the trumpets were enough to send the enemy below running for their lives in the dark. Gideon gave a shout an then descendant on the enemy with his sword.

Now someone not living in mountain and valley area has no clue what it would mean to hear all this noise. It would echo across the valley and back gain until it stopped. Three hundred voices would sound like millions. It was enough fear in the camp with that noise to send men running. Gideon defeat his enemies and yet knew some lived another day to fight again. Yet those in that valley were gone.

Trusting God for victory and obeying His voice is key for victory. If Gideon had been afraid he never would of surround the camp thinning out his men to such a huge army. Yet strategy of God and the strategy of man seldom is the same. Gideon had more men to choose from and only took three hundred in obedience to God. God wanted Gideon and the men of Israel to know was in charge and who had victory. David killed only one giant that was scaring the whole tribe of Israel. He was not even a full grown man yet for even the kings armor did not fit him, but he knew how to kill bears and lions with his bare hands. God took someone small and defeat a huge enemy. God took Gideon and a few men to defeat a giant army. If you trust in the word of God you will win. However make sure you on the Lord’s side for the enemy also knew Gideon strength and feared not God to deliver.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, He will deliver you. Keep your eyes on Jesus and He will protect you. If it time for your cross then he will provide the strength for you. Gideon need protection against his own fear and God provided. Whatever you need ask of God and His provision will be sufficient.

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for your provision and protection when we keep our eyes on you, knowing you will even take care of our fears and doubts, if we will obey you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.