Judges 6:1 (NIV): The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.

There is purpose in our problems

Judges 6:5 (NIV): They [Midianites] came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them…

Judges 6:7–8 (NIV): When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, 8 he sent them a prophet…

Isaiah 30:15 (NIV): “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

Judges 6:10 (NIV): I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.”

God always sees more than we do

Judges 6:12–13 (NIV): When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but…

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT): For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Judges 6:14 (NIV): The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have

Obedience Brings Peace

Judges 6:24 (NIV): So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands

Judges 6:34–35 (NIV): Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. 35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to [follow] them.

It’s not who follows you, but who are you following

Judges 7:2 (NIV): The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’

1 Samuel 14:6 (NLT): “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!”

Fear is not your friend

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Judges 7:3 (NIV): “Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

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Neither is foolishness

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Judges 7:5–8 (NIV):  So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. 7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred,

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1 Peter 5:8–11 (NLT): Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are 10…So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.

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