Theme: THE REWARD OF FAITH
Text: “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon… and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword… turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” – Hebrews 11:32-34.
Comment: Gideon, the son of Joash the Abiezrite from the lineage of Manasseh in Israel was in the winepress when the LORD sent His angel to him to rise and lead Israel against the Midianites, who had impoverished them for seven years. To Gideon, the angel said: “The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour”. – Judges 6:12.
After Gideon recounted their sufferings in the hands of their enemies, the LORD strengthened Him saying, “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?” Gideon proved the LORD, convinced of His identity, he took only three hundred men to fight the Midianites.
On the battlefield, when Gideon and his soldiers blew their trumpets and shouted: “The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon”, the Midianites were in disarray as “the LORD set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled…” To Sennacherib, Hezekiah said: “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.” – 2 Chronicles 32:8. Our faith in God will help us overcome the battles of life. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” – 1 John 5:4.