Gideon and his army of 32,000 men are preparing for battle, a battle where the odds against them are so great that Gideon himself had been uncertain about God’s direction. He had checked and double-checked with God, yet the command was still the same, clear and unmistakable. He was to go forwards. God was going to save them.
As one of the most thrilling days in history starts to unfold, God begins one of the most mind-boggling military preparations that man has ever witnessed. He turns to Gideon and says, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’”
22,000 men went home.
Did God realize how many scaredy-cats he had? Surely he didn’t think that so many men would go home. They were now facing an army thousands of times their size. Surely God would call some of them back. Cutting 22,0000 men… leaving only 10,000 men… there had to be a mistake. But God doesn’t think so, in fact, he speaks again, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”
God chose 300 men.
Three hundred men… three hundred men that were ready to do God’s command. Ready to fight a battle with an army which—as the scriptures say so vividly—was as thick as locusts, and that had so many camels (to carry away the plunder) that they could be counted no more easily than the sand on the seashore.
Three hundred men… that were not afraid.
They Were Not Afraid
Why not? They had every human reason to be afraid, and yet, nobody was muttering under their breath about this fantastic suicide mission. God had chosen for himself 300 men, 300 men of valor, 300 men of faith, 300 men that could not win the battle, 300 men through whom he would demonstrate his grace.
They were not afraid, because God was with them. They were not afraid, because God had chosen them. They were not afraid, because God had instructed them. They were not afraid, because God had sent them.
They were not afraid, because they had faith.
There are many more stories, many more examples, many more days when faith had victory over fear. Sometimes it was more amazing than this. There is Daniel. Then there are Daniel’s three friends. Their example is one of the most thrilling, one of the most powerful, one of the most inspiring. Three men, in the prime of life, three men against a whole nation, three men who lived when they should have died.
It was a day to be remembered forever. A day when three men stood, when three men refused to bow to an idol built in defiance to the God of Heaven and Earth, when three men defied the king.
A day, when 3 men were not afraid.
Why not? Why weren’t they afraid? Why wasn’t Joseph? Or Abraham? Or Moses? Or Paul? Or David?
Or… you?
Yes! You! Why did you jump? Why do you feel uncomfortable in a hero’s shoes? Friends, this is the focus of this article. Do you believe God? Are you ready to do his command? Are you ready to be chosen for a dangerous mission? Are you ready to stand when others run? Are you willing to—in the words of Jim Elliot—“give up what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot lose?” Or are you going to leave that for somebody else? Somebody else? Like who? Who?
Like Who?
Who would have stood in the place of Daniel? Who would have stood in the place of David? Who would have stood in the place of Moses? Who would have stood in the place of Joseph?
Who will stand in your place?
Nobody. Your potential, will be lost potential—because you were afraid. You were afraid, because you would not believe God. You were afraid because you would not obey God. You were afraid, because you did not know God. You were afraid to die, because you were afraid to live.
You Can
You don’t have to be afraid. No! You can be fearless! You can be faithful. You can stand when other men run. You can be an incredible tool in God’s hands. God can do with you far more than you ever dreamt of doing yourself. But what does it take?
It takes surrender. Yes, it takes surrender. It takes giving up your own strength. It takes your life. Your life! God wants it! Every bit of it! Every shard, every scrap, every ounce. He wants to give you His strength for your weakness. He wants to give you heroism for your helplessness. He wants to give you fearlessness for your fearfulness.
Give it up.
This is the first article in a 3-part series on Godly Manhood and Womanhood. In part 3 we will discuss the practical application of fearlessness and faithfulness to the life of both men and women. But before that, we’re going to talk about two more aspects of godly character: compassion and justice. Keep checking back for the rest of this series.
[...] 1: Fearless Men, Faithful Men [...]
David, I know that I already told you that I loved this post, but I hate to leave posts commentless.
Great post!
Wow…you don’t know how much that meant to me! Praise the Lord for using this article.
David, that was a well written, challenging post. Thank you. I am faced with fear often, and yet that only betrays my lack of faith in the providence of God.
[P.S. Not wanting to distract from the message of the post, I want to suggest that God didn’t only know that 22,000 would go home, but he ordained it.]
Bryce, you rock.
My comments there about “the mistake” were entirely tongue-in-cheek. God’s sovereign plan is illustrated so clearly and wonderfully in all of these stories.
These Days Aren’t Over
I continue to be appalled at our society day in and day out. And it continues to hit closer and closer to home — especially when your residence is in the D.C./Metropolitan area. This time the story takes place at Arundel High School. The scene is…
Thanks, David!
Keep it coming!
“The Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go! and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.’” (Exodus 4:11-12)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Really great article, am looking forward to the others! (would say more, but am typing one handed while rocking baby
)
~Brianna
I can’t help but smile and shake my head because the word surrender has often been found on my lips and heart the past few months. Last year my understanding of surrender was that it was a one time choice made at the point of surrender to Jesus as Lord… but I’ve come to a better understanding that it means many day by day choices to live out the overall surrender of Jesus as Lord. He has so much that He’s waiting to offer… as long as we let loose the grime that we hold so dear!
Wonderful post, David! =)
Amen, Rebekah!
I ran across this quote today and thought it belonged here: “Peter did not feel very brave; indeed, he felt he was going to be sick. But that made no difference to what he had to do.” (C. S. Lewis)
Now for Part 2!:)
Great post David and very well written too. It just hit me that when men are brave, when men are true to God, so much can be done with so few. When confronted with the undercurrent around us of “you are powerless to make a difference”, it is always encouraging remember the men and women in history who did stand up and make a difference. Those who had everything against them and still succeeded because they trusted in the Lord.
Your article is important because the world needs godly men and women who are willing to stand up and lead their children forward.
And yet, men today just don’t seem to care about injustice or righting what is wrong. A couple months ago here in CA, an arsonist drove up the I-8 freeway starting over a dozen roadside fires. It was not the dead of night. There were other people (read: men) on the road. Did they stop and try to put some of the fires out? No. Did they stop and call the fire station, police, and 9-11? Yes. They expected officials to protect the homes, ect. around the fires. These fires were initially not roaring, blazing infernos, most were smaller than camp fires, but only one person stopped and put out a couple of them. It took the fire crews hours to mop up all of the fires, some of which had become very large by the time they arrived. Because of apathy, thousands of dollars had to be expended in taxes, and homes were put in danger.
Perhaps it’s a little off subject but anyway, looking forward to part 2!
300 men. I don’t know if anyone here has seen “300” (I haven’t
) but that was another situation where it was 300 against a vast army. And though the Spartans fought nobly, and died honorably, they could not win. But the Israelites, with 300 men, and the power of God, triumphed. How great a contrast!