ANTICIPATING VICTORY

Here’s a living parable for us to learn from. Gideon had instructed his little army of three hundred to prepare for battle. Imagine all of them gathered around him as he announced the latest strategy, fresh from the Israeli war room. He looks around at the group of eager soldiers and says, “Here’s the plan guys! All of you mighty men of war, trade in your weapons for trumpets. Grab an earthen pot and a torch to light!” They must’ve exchanged confused glances with one another and thought something was wrong with their leader. “Trade in our weapons as we prepare to go to war?” This seemed counterproductive and dangerous to say the least, but God had a plan.

Gideon was fighting from the victor’s corner. Anticipating victory, he had each warrior take the trumpet of praise in one hand while holding a clay pot in the other. Here is where the fun began; each soldier was to light his torch and conceal it inside the pot until the battle cry went out. As soon as the battle cry was heard, the soldiers were to break their pots revealing the fire that was hidden inside, exposing that light to the enemy. This plan worked wonderfully as the enemy fled away and Gideon’s forces prevailed.

We too, like the earthen pots, contain the fire of the Holy Spirit. When our self-centered lives are broken, His light can shine through us. As long as we are marching to His orders and using His battle tactics, we can anticipate blowing that victory trumpet in the end. Stop trying to figure out God’s next move and rest in the fact that He has already secured the victory for you. All that’s required for you to do is follow His guidance and shine for Him in this ever-darkening world.