I just can’t catch a break!

Do you ever feel like you just can’t catch a break? Instead of things getting better or easier, the odds are just stacking up against you.

I imagine that’s how Gideon felt.

Earlier this week, we learned that Gideon wasn’t very confident in his own abilities to save Israel from the Midianites (Judges 6:15). But instead of making things easier on him, God decided to make things even harder for Gideon by stripping down his army from 32,000 to just 300 men (Judges 7:2-8).

Why would God do that? Because He wanted to remind the Israelites that they could not save themselves:

"You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me’." – Judges 7:2 NIV

Sometimes, we fall into this idea that we must be well established, with great resources and a big following, before we can be effective in the Kingdom of God. But that is not what the Bible teaches.

Over and over again, God seemingly strips His chosen people of their human safety nets before He uses them. Paul recognised this too:

God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. – 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 NIV

Friend, do you feel insecure about what you have to offer God? Does it feel like God is stripping away your support instead of adding to it? Like Gideon, trust that God is in control, setting you up for victory.

Let’s pray together:

Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing the lowliest people to further Your kingdom. It is a blessing that we never have to depend on our own strength, but can always count on You to lead us to victory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Hey! You are a Chamatkar.

Cameron Mendes