Church ceiling in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
(Edited journal excerpt from April 9, 1990)
Judges 7:2‑3, “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘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.” So twenty‑two thousand left, while ten thousand remained.” Have I ever been in a situation when I felt I had all the resources I needed for success, but success didn’t come? Is it possible God was opposing my efforts because they were moved by a subtle pride and self-reliance. He has such a bias for cultivating holy, simple dependence in us.
For the sake of eventual success, Gideon’s army is reduced by two-thirds from 32000 men to 10000 men. Later, it is further pruned to a mere 1% of its original size at 300. They experience more than a 99% reduction in troops. The LORD wanted to make it absolutely clear that He was the source of their strength, courage and victory. How do I respond when it feels like God is taking resources away from me? How do I respond when my life feels like only 1% of what it used to be? Can I trust that God might well be deepening my practical dependence on His presence and moment-to-moment provision? Sometimes, ample or excessive human resources are a hindrance to the work of God. There is the temptation to credit our resources with what is really the work of God.
Alan, thank you for this meaningful message: “Can I trust that God might well be deepening my practical dependence on His presence and moment-to-moment provision? Sometimes, ample or excessive human resources are a hindrance to the work of God. There is the temptation to credit our resources with what is really the work of God.”
It is just right for me to start off 2011. Blessings.
Appreciate, as always, your feedback, Virgil. God’s grace be with you and Shirley in 2011. Thanks for your prayers on the book. I’ve made some good progress over the holiday.
Thank you Alan!! This was a much needed reminder for, especially at work where I have a tendency to strive on my own strength.
You’re welcome, Linda. Many of us can identify with the tendency to see no further than our own resources…
[...] “Too Many Human Resources” – I shared a few practical reflections on the story of Gideon and its implications for how to understand when God seems to reduce our resources instead of increasing them. [...]