Lent Day 31: But

Lent Day 31: But

9 That night the LORD said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! 10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. 11 Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.”

This is part of the story where God pares down Gideon’s army from 22,000 to 300. Gideon receives the assurance of victory based on God not on the size of his army. Verse nine ends with an exclamation! We expect to hear applause. Something happens between the exclamation point and the beginning of verse eleven. Some expression on the face of Gideon betrayed his fear at what he was being asked to do. And even with the guarantee of victory, Gideon’s doubts bubbled up and were sensed by the Lord.

The silence must have been deafening. The Lord then makes an offer to Gideon to help totally put his fears to rest. In response to the silent response to the promise of victory, Gideon is told to sneak up and listen in on the conversation of the enemy. In three little letter, a common conjunction, the Lord provides a gracious answer for Gideon. “But.”

I learned long ago that when you put “but” in a sentence, it’s as if everything in front of the “but” is virtually erased. “I love your dress, but it would look better on someone who weighed a hundred pounds less.” “I really want to come to that party but I have to clean the gutters.” It’s a beautiful day, but I have a sinus headache.”

God tells us victory is ours, but if we can’t wrap our brains, hearts, or lives
around that his grace provides a “but” to help us get through. Are you being asked to do something you believe is impossible? Does the load you are being asked to carry seem way too big for you to bear? God loves us to provide reassurance to help us with the task.

I love what happens next in the story. The enemy army is described as greater than a swarm of locusts or the grains of sand. But Gideon and his servant are able to find the two guys among the millions who are talking and who unknowingly have just the message that Gideon needs to hear. How amazing is it that they were able to find just the right spot to get God’s message? And if that’s not enough, imagine their surprise that the very odd dream that is described should receive the explanation that describes Gideon’s victory.

Life is hard but God is bigger, more aware, and ready to bring you victory. What more assurance do you need?