Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

Read

Judges 7:12-22 (NRSV)

The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the east lay along the valley as thick as locusts; and their camels were without number, countless as the sand on the seashore. When Gideon arrived, there was a man telling a dream to his comrade; and he said, “I had a dream, and in it a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian, and came to the tent, and struck it so that it fell; it turned upside down, and the tent collapsed.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, a man of Israel; into his hand God has given Midian and all the army.”

When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped; and he returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Get up; for the LORD has given the army of Midian into your hand.” After he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and put trumpets into the hands of all of them, and empty jars, with torches inside the jars, he said to them, “Look at me, and do the same; when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets around the whole camp, and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’”

So Gideon and the hundred who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch; and they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. So the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars, holding in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow; and they cried, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” Every man stood in his place all around the camp, and all the men in camp ran; they cried out and fled. When they blew the three hundred trumpets, the LORD set every man’s sword against his fellow and against all the army; and the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.

Reflect

Have you ever felt like you were facing overwhelming odds? Ever felt like there was no way you could accomplish the goal set before you? As humans, we have the wonderful ability to feel emotions. Sometimes those emotions are joy and happiness, and other times they are anxiety and worry. Every new day is an opportunity to express and demonstrate those emotions.

When we feel like we can accomplish anything, life is great. We can conquer the world and we want to praise God with our whole heart. However, when we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, we often feel defeated. When we feel defeated, it is nearly impossible for us to worship God. That must have been how Gideon felt as he faced what seemed to be an impossible task. However, God used a dream to show Gideon that God would be with him. Gideon went on to defeat the Midianites in a mighty way.

With God, we can accomplish great things. Don’t let the pressure of the world get to you. Realize that with God, you can accomplish many things. Overcome the feelings of fear and anxiety to see that God loves you and wants what is best for you. Learn to praise God in all times.

Pray

Loving Creator, you are there when we feel good and you are there when we feel anxious. Help us to know that you are with us throughout all that we face and guide us to praise you in all circumstances. Give us opportunities to serve you today. In the name of your Son. Amen.

Serve God by serving others.