Heroes: Devotions From Time of Grace MinistrySample

COURAGE: GIDEON

Here is a man who knew no fear when he knew that he had the Word of the Lord behind him. A gigantic coalition of nomadic peoples headed up by the Midianites had rolled into Israel like an invading army of locusts, stealing their animals and destroying their crops. Their camels "could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore." Their army numbered 135,000.

Gideon mustered 30,000 Israelites, but the Lord didn't like those numbers. He thought Gideon had way too many. He led Gideon to reduce Israel's force to a small battalion of 300. He gave Gideon a positive sign, allowing him to overhear a Midianite man's dream of Israelite victory.

"When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, ‘Get up! The LORD has given the Midianite camp into your hands.' [He divided] the three hundred men into three companies." (Judges 7:15-16).

Not only did Gideon welcome the sign and believe the Lord's promises, he actually divided his tiny force into three companies. The Lord didn't even need the three hundred – He simply drove the Midianites and their allies to attack and kill one another. Through Gideon's strong leadership, Israel had peace for 40 years.