And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. (Jdg 7:2-7)
GOD told Gideon that he had gathered too many people for the coming battle, an announcement that would have surprised most leaders, especially military commanders. If Israel had gone out with the 32,000 men against the Midianites, even under the mighty hand of GOD, the people would have seen the battle in purely human terms, that Israel defeated Midian. By reducing the number, to just what GOD needed, on His terms, the Lord made it very clear who won this battle and who is in control of all things, especially for His people. 300 men against this vastly superiour force would, and did, need supernatural help from GOD to defeat them. GOD moved against Midian and they were defeated, and Israel was once again delivered by GOD from their oppressors. He demonstrated His power and shewed Himself strong in the behalf of His people and He was glorified in the victory.
GOD is faithful and merciful, He continues today offering Salvation to all who will come and to keep His covenant with His people, even when we fail Him. Through His power and because of His love, He preserved Israel as a nation, even while chastising them, using their enemies to bring them back to Him, and eventually delivering His people into captivity for a time because of their sin. But GOD, in His infinite mercy is not done with Israel, nor is He done with us. He is still watching over all His people, protecting us, and drawing us back to Himself, and drawing those that don't yet know Him to be born again in Him. There will come a day, when GOD is done with His Church, that He will once again return to Israel to deal with their sin, and the sins of the world, and rule over Israel and this world from Jerusalem.
Until that day, He has called us who are His church, the body of Christ to minister as His ambassadors to those who around us who are hurting and in need. He has commanded His people, and the members of His body and of one another in particular, to love one another as He has loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD until we all grow up into the full measure of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ who fought and won our battle against sin. He has commissioned us who know Him, as His witnesses, to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every one we meet, that those who hear the Good News and recognize their need of Him, repent of their sins, and receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
GOD is faithful and merciful, He continues today offering Salvation to all who will come and to keep His covenant with His people, even when we fail Him. Through His power and because of His love, He preserved Israel as a nation, even while chastising them, using their enemies to bring them back to Him, and eventually delivering His people into captivity for a time because of their sin. But GOD, in His infinite mercy is not done with Israel, nor is He done with us. He is still watching over all His people, protecting us, and drawing us back to Himself, and drawing those that don't yet know Him to be born again in Him. There will come a day, when GOD is done with His Church, that He will once again return to Israel to deal with their sin, and the sins of the world, and rule over Israel and this world from Jerusalem.
Until that day, He has called us who are His church, the body of Christ to minister as His ambassadors to those who around us who are hurting and in need. He has commanded His people, and the members of His body and of one another in particular, to love one another as He has loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD until we all grow up into the full measure of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ who fought and won our battle against sin. He has commissioned us who know Him, as His witnesses, to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every one we meet, that those who hear the Good News and recognize their need of Him, repent of their sins, and receive Him by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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