One of the most compelling biblical stories is the story of Gideon. When the Israelites were being oppressed by their neighbouring nation, a young man Gideon was visited by an angel who addressed him as “mighty warrior” and called him to lead Israel to rescue them from their oppressors. Gideon responded with understandable skepticism, saying “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
What resulted was the most unconventional battle plan imaginable. Gideon gathered 32,000 troops, but the Lord said that this number was too many, because it would lead to boastful pride. So Gideon reduced the army to 300! And they defeated an army of 132,000!
The story of Gideon is often told espousing the merits of being bold as Gideon. However, what may often be overlooked in the story of 300 men defeating 132,000 is the role the people of Israel played in this victory. In Judges 6:6 we find the key to this victory: “they (the Israelites) cried out to the Lord for help."
The victory came because the Lord is the one who answers the cries of his people. The mighty warrior Gideon was victorious because the Lord answered the people’s cries. It was the same for the deliverance from Egypt that Moses led, where the Lord met Moses at the burning bush and said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out.” (Ex. 3:7). Moses was a great deliverer because of the cries of the Israelites. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Ps. 34:17)
In times of crisis, God raises leaders who will rescue God’s people when his people cry out to him. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3
Leaders like Gideon and Moses are made when God’s people cry out to Him.
If ever there was a time when we needed Gideons in our land, it is now. You or I may not be a Moses or a Gideon, yet we can play an important role in seeing the Lord’s victory as we call upon the name of the Lord. At CTF Ottawa we put a high value on prayer, with our weekly prayer meeting and through other means. Please consider joining us Wednesdays for our weekly intercession times. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. James 5:16
