Gideon and the Spirit of Prophecy

And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand. But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host: And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host. And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude. And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along. And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host. And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. Judges 7:9-15

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 11, 12

Gideon has been instructed to deliver Israel from their most recent foe. God has revealed Himself to Gideon in many ways in this story. Gideon cooperates but fearfully. God finally takes Gideon through an experience with prophecy. When Gideon hears his story from one of the Gentiles who have come to attack Israel and He sees the power of God to know his needs, he is finally convinced that God is in charge and will grant him victory over his enemies. Gideon is ready to cooperate with God from a satisfied heart.

Prayer for Today: God, we thank You again, that You will go to any extreme to convince us that You have our best interests at heart and that You have the power to accomplish all things for us. Thank You for Your tender mercies to us.