God's Glory Church

“And the Lord said to Gideon: “The people that are with you are numerous.” — Judges 7:2

When my son was about three years old, I had an operation, after which I had to recover for a month. Even before the procedure, I imagined how I was lying in bed, and a pile of dirty dishes was piling up in the sink. I did not understand how I would worry about my energetic child and how I would prepare food. I imagined with fear how my weakness would affect the rhythm of our life.

God deliberately weakened Gideon’s army before his battle with the Midianites. First, all who were afraid were allowed to leave the army, and twenty-two thousand men returned home (Judg. 7:3). Then, of the remaining ten thousand soldiers, only those who drew water for drinking with their hands could remain. So, three hundred soldiers remained, and this lack of military strength did not allow the Israelites to rely on themselves (vv. 5-6). They could not say: “My hand saved me” (v. 2).

There are times when many of us feel exhausted and powerless. When this happened to me, I realized how much I needed God. He encouraged me internally through His Spirit and externally through the help of friends and family. I had to lose my independence for a while, but it taught me to rely more on God. Since “[His] power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9), we have someone to hope for if we are unable to care for our own needs.

How have you experienced the manifestation of God’s power through your weakness? How can you help a person who feels weak?

God, help me every day to rely on You even more and to feel Your strength in times of difficulty.

Author: Jennifer Benson