God is Everything You Need – September 16, 2019

The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men.”
Judges 7:2

God is Everything You Need

On the sixth of June this year, the world recognized the seventy-fifth anniversary of the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history. And it is widely viewed as the key turning point in World War II. Even seventy-five years later, the world thanks the men and women who sacrificed to make that day happen. On that day alone, the Allied Armies landed one-hundred-fifty-six-thousand troops on the beaches of France. That doesn’t even count the pilots and Navy personnel who participated.

Can you imagine General Eisenhower the morning of the invasion? Can you picture him surveying all the troops, tanks, boats, and planes, and concluding that he didn’t need them all? Can you imagine him sending half of the Army home and telling the Air Force pilots to take the day off? No, he realized he needed every soldier at his disposal. He knew that his chances of success hinged on the sheer number of people that he could get onto those beaches.

God is not your usual commander. He told Gideon: “You have too many men.” You see, God doesn’t need all the latest technology or weapons. He doesn’t need large armies at his disposal. He is all-powerful. He wanted Gideon to know this. So, even though Gideon’s army was already far smaller than his opponent, God told him he had too many men. Having so many men might make Gideon think that his victory was his own doing rather than God’s.

It is a good reminder for us. We so easily rely on our own strength, our own wisdom, our own abilities. Or, we doubt that God can handle whatever we are facing.

When this happens, remember the story of Gideon. Remember that your God is all-powerful. So powerful, in fact, that he defeated two enemies you could never defeat—sin and death. Through Jesus death and resurrection, your sins are forgiven, and eternal life is yours.

Let this be your comfort no matter what foe you face.

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, help me to trust you and only you for everything I need. Amen.