The few ∙

The few ∙

Don’t be afraid and don’t panic because of this huge army! For the battle is not yours, but God’s. – 2 Chronicles 20:15

Judges 7:2-7

 2 The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.”

 3 “Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight.

 4 But the LORD told Gideon, “There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.”

 5 When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the LORD told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one group, all those who cup water in their hands lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group, put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.”

 6 Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream.

 7 The LORD told Gideon, “With these 300 men, I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.”

During the Battle of Britain, Germany’s inability to destroy Britain’s air defenses and compel an armistice marked the first major German defeat in World War II and a crucial turning point in the conflict.

The British aircraft industry sustained production levels of approximately 180 to 300 frontline fighters and 140 bombers monthly. Hermann Göring predicted a decline in the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) strength, exacerbated by what he assumed was decreasing production. The Luftwaffe believed it had weakened Fighter Command at three times the actual rate of attrition.

However, reports of RAF losses were greatly exaggerated, creating a sense of euphoria. The Luftwaffe leadership became increasingly disconnected from reality, fostering a false sense of imminent victory. They repeatedly claimed that Fighter Command’s strength had diminished and collapsed, which was not the case. However, reality soon shattered this illusion as the RAF continued to deploy defensive squadrons at will.

On August 5, 1940, coined “The Greatest Day,” the Luftwaffe launched its most extensive series of raids, deploying 115 bombers and 35 fighters. Yet, 75 of these aircraft were destroyed, with many more severely damaged. Throughout the entire Battle of Britain, British forces lost 1,537 planes, while German forces suffered more significant losses with 1,887 planes.

Winston Churchill encapsulated the essence of the battle with his iconic statement: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Those pilots became renowned as “The Few.”

In life, we often face powerful enemies that we cannot overcome alone. However, it is during these moments that our faith can play a crucial role. When we are up against overwhelming odds, our Father fights the battle on our behalf. When there is an imbalance of forces, and our Father is on our side, victory is assured. The presence of God is more than just a theological concept; it is a profound source of strength (Thompson).

When God takes responsibility for the battle, our primary responsibility is to remain faithful. “When we align ourselves with God and His will, the Lord takes the battle out of our hands and places it in His. Big enemies become small when God leads the charge” (Stanley).

Sometimes, the Father uses only one individual (Exodus 14 (Moses); 1 Samuel 17:1-58 (David)). Other times, He chooses to work through a small group.

In Judges 7:2-7, the Lord instructs Gideon to reduce his army, emphasizing reliance on divine power rather than human strength. Initially, 22,000 fearful soldiers depart, leaving 10,000. God further reduced the size of the group to 300, who lapped the water with their hands, ensuring victory with this small contingent.

REFLECT & PRAY

“One and God make a majority” (Frederick Douglass).

Father, teach us to pray and encourage us to be strong and courageous, knowing that the final outcome is in Your hands.

INSIGHT

How does the Father win His battles? He encourages His children to pray for victory. In so doing, children of the King are called upon to achieve the Father’s will on earth as it is in heaven. That is our responsibility. Our task is to pray for His will to be done on earth. The Scriptures teach us to seek His will, not our own.

What other options do we have? We can do nothing; we can hope for the best, or we can pray to get what we think is best. The Scriptures do not encourage us to ask for what we want. But instead, we are to pray for what the Father “wants.” In Luke 11:1-4 the Lord Jesus Christ provides a model for effective prayer, focusing on God’s kingdom. This is how the Father teaches us to pray!

Luke 11:1-4

 1 It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”

 2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.

 3 ‘Give us each day our daily bread.

 4 ‘And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

In moments of uncertainty, sometimes the best we can do is begin to pray for what we want and allow the Holy Spirit to redirect our prayers supernaturally and mysteriously to the Father’s will. What is required is that we pray and not remain silent.

So it was with Jehoshaphat.

2 Chronicles 20:6-9

 6 [Jehoshaphat] said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.”

 7 “Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham, Your friend forever?”

 8 “They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying,

 9 ‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’”

Instead of giving in to fear, King Jehoshaphat gathered the people and sought the Lord with all his heart. He humbly acknowledged God’s power and authority and put his hope and trust in Him alone. Jehoshaphat recognized that God was the one with the ultimate power and authority, so he petitioned the Father for help.

He concluded his prayer by admitting, “Our eyes are upon You.” In effect, Jehoshaphat was saying, “If You don’t exercise Your authority in this matter, we are doomed. We are putting our entire trust and confidence in You and You alone.”

Jehoshaphat displayed humility, showing no signs of self-importance. We see no trace of egotism in Jehoshaphat. He made no demand that God do something that God did not desire to do. Jehoshaphat claimed no authority in himself and also no power for himself. But he wisely recognized that all power and all authority rest in God alone, and from that understanding, he petitioned the God of heaven (Stanley).

This aligns with the spirit encouragement of Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion” (Alexander the Great).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯5-26-2

© Dr. H 2024