Put Your Whole Trust in God. Then Plan.

So much of Christianity is often widdled down to platitudes. "Trust in the Lord," we say, without regard for action or steps to follow that mindset of trust. "Have faith" when we never consider that faith without works is dead according to scripture. "Believe God" is another one. We tell people to believe for God to do better things in our future. But sometimes, God is waiting for His people to act on what they've already received from Him.

Gideon was called a "mighty warrior" while hiding in a cave with a winepress. Now we see that mighty warrior come out of him as he begins a plan of attack with an army far outnumbered.

Judges 7:16–18 (ESV) And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. 17 And he said to them, “Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. 18 When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”

First, he creates a diversion through the three 100 men divisions. Second, he creates the appearance of more soldiers than he has through the torches and jars. Finally, he creates audible chaos with ancient shofar trumpets. These three groups of men are then dispersed around the camp of Midian to seem like a surrounding army. Finally... notice the timing: 


Judges 7:19 (ESV) So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands.

The middle watch would have been the darkest part of the night. The beginning of this watch would have had weary soldiers waking to take the watch and weary soldiers about to sleep after the first watch. The army of Midian would at this moment be distracted, surrounded, tired and in chaos. Gideon does not simply believe God is going to do it all. He takes the courage God gives him and the assurances of God's plan for him and lets that fuel a very creative and strategic military operation using what he had left. 

Gideon does not overpower the Midianites ONLY because God said so. Nor is his victory rooted in the affirmations and reassurances God gives all along the way or the spiritual defeat God has already put into the minds of the enemy. No, Gideon gets active. He makes plans and puts together a strategy with what God has given him to overcome the enemy God has defeated for him.

What is this teaching us about the life of faith? Not simply that God is for the underdog. No, God is faithful to His Word... always. His word to Abraham about this people is still being fulfilled today as it was in Gideon's day. His word to Gideon about being a mighty warrior was fulfilled as Gideon lived out what God named him from the very beginning.

So you too, modern Christian have a sure word from God. He is for you and not against you. He loves you with an everlasting love. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will faithfully accomplish His purposes in you. But there is no such thing as waiting for these things to happen. God's Word works through those who work according to His Word. As Gideon stepped out in faith with the remnants of God's weaning process, God's Word over him and to him proved right. Actions MUST accompany our doctrinal affirmations.

So trust in the Lord... and show the world you do.