Against the Odds

When trouble is on the horizon, it can be hard to trust in God’s promises, and to believe He has a plan for us.

The book of Judges in the Old Testament gives us an awesome example of trusting God in the story of Gideon.

God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle with the Midianites, who had a sizable army of 135,000 men. Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men to battle with the Midianites, but despite odds in favor of the enemy, God told Gideon there were too many men in his army. Through a selection process, God whittled the Israelite army down to just 300 men.

Though Gideon was afraid, he trusted God to fulfill His promise. And God told Gideon they needed a smaller army so people would know God won the battle, and not some large army.

The night of the battle, Gideon and his servant snuck into the camp of the enemy and overheard the telling of a dream. The two Midianites interpreted the dream to mean that Gideon’s small army would wipe out their larger army.

Reassured, Gideon returned to camp to begin the battle. The Midianites were so frightened, many of them began fighting and killing one another, thinking that Gideon’s army was all around them.

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” 

Gideon trusted God’s plan, even when he didn’t understand. Because of his faith, God helped Gideon and the Israelites to conquer the Midianites with an army a fraction of the size of the enemy’s.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are mighty to save. Help us to trust you in every battle. We love you, and believe you have a plan for us. Give us courage to face the challenges in our lives, knowing you are here with us, and you have a good plan. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
When trouble is on the horizon, it can be hard to
trust in God's promises and tobelieve He has a plan for us.
The book of Judges in the OldTestament gives us an awesome
example of trusting God in thestory of Gideon.
God called Gideon to lead Israelinto battle with the Midianites,
who had a sizable army of135,000 men.

(00:20):
Gideon gathered an army of32,000 men to battle with the
Midianites, but despite odds infavor of the enemy, God told
Gideon there were too many menin his army.
Through a selection process, Godwhittled the Israelite army down
to just 300 men.
Though Gideon was afraid, hetrusted God to fulfill his
promise.
God told Gideon they needed asmaller army so people would

(00:42):
know God won the battle and notsome large army.
The night of the battle, Gideonand his servants snuck into the
camp of the enemy and overheardthe telling of a dream.
The two Midianites interpretedthe dream to mean that Gideon's
small army would wipe out theirlarger army.
Reassured, Gideon returned tocamp to begin the battle.
The Midianites were sofrightened, many of them started

(01:02):
fighting and killing oneanother, thinking that Gideon's
army was all around them.
Proverbs 3.5 says, Trust in theLord with all your heart and
lean not on your ownunderstanding.
Gideon trusted God's plan evenwhen he didn't understand.
Because of his faith, God helpedGideon and the Israelites to
conquer the Midianites with anarmy the fraction of the size of

(01:26):
the enemies.
Let's pray.
Lord, you are mighty to save.
Help us to trust you in everybattle.
We love you and believe you havea plan for us.
Give us courage to face thechallenge in our lives, knowing
you are here with us and youhave a good plan.
In Jesus' name.

(01:47):
Amen.

SPEAKER_01 (01:48):
Did you know many of the messages featured on the
Caruso Daily Devotional areavailable on a t-shirt.
Caruso creates originalt-shirts, apparel, and gifts
with inspirational messages thatshare the good news of Jesus.
Learn more at Caruso.com.
That's K E R U S S O.com.