Read Judges 7

Courage, Wisdom, and Obedience

Gideon is assured victory against the enemy and has thirty-two thousand men standing behind him. God says, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me’” (Judges 7:2). In order to reduce the size of the army, God tells Gideon to send the fearful away. When this announcement was made, twenty-two thousand men left the ranks.

God says of the ten thousand remaining soldiers, “The people are still too many” (Judges 7:4). He devises another test: those who drink water by putting their hand to their mouth would remain, and those who got down on their knees to drink would be sent home. Only three hundred men passed this test, showing the wisdom of being alert at all times. Gideon’s army of three hundred was then divided into three companies; they were told to blow their trumpets and break their pitchers, and they obeyed.

These are three things that are still required in the Lord’s army today: courage, wisdom, and obedience!

We need courage to stand up against the enemies of truth, those who want to tear our faith down and gain followers for themselves. Paul warned the Ephesian elders that there would be some people like that: “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:29-30).

We need wisdom to be alert for Satan’s schemes. Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). It is a war, and Satan doesn’t play fair. Be aware of his tricks.

We need obedience because Jesus is the One with all authority. We cannot devise our own plan of salvation; we must follow His! We cannot make up our own rules for worship or service; we must submit to what He has revealed. Are you enlisted in His army? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Have you been immersed for the remission of sins? (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 41, 47).