With all the horrible things going on around the world, we now see the National Guard deployed in different states of the Union. It is plain to see that the unrest around us signifies a violent turn of events in America, where people are becoming more unruly and increasingly disrespectful toward authority figures.
City streets are
beginning to resemble war zones, where a small number of law-enforcement
agencies are doing their best to curb unruly behavior and keep the peace amidst
hordes of chanting demonstrators. This reminds me of a story found in (Judges
7:1–22).
A commander by the
name of Gideon led just three hundred brave warriors into battle. These men
were individually chosen from an army of thirty-two thousand soldiers. They
were selected because they demonstrated caution while remaining visually aware
of their surroundings as they quenched their thirst at a nearby water brook.
Before they were
chosen, Gideon heard and recognized the voice of God, who gave him instructions
on how to achieve victory against an enemy encamped nearby. God provided Gideon
with the tactical knowledge needed to ensure victory.
These few men were
successful and won an important battle because Gideon obeyed the God of
miracles. The Lord received glory for the victory, which was His intent all
along. Each individual man who made up the three hundred warriors was an army
of one. They moved without fear in the power of God.
I am reminded of
another story in (1 Samuel 17) about David and a giant named Goliath.
This young shepherd boy heard the voice of God speaking to his heart, reminding
him of the bear and the lion he had slain to protect the sheep under his care.
David was outraged
that this Philistine bully would dare mock the God of Israel, Saul—his king—and
the men under Saul’s command. After hearing from God, David moved with purpose
and determination to address the problem facing Israel. He had full confidence
that God was with him and would deliver Goliath into his hands.
The giant stood
nine feet nine inches tall and was quite intimidating. Everyone trembled at the
thought of facing this well-trained fighter on the battlefield. Goliath was a
seasoned combatant, towering over the Israelites, whose average height was less
than five feet six inches. But David was not intimidated. He moved in the power
of God and became an army of one. This young man defeated the giant with a
sling and a smooth stone.
In the beginning
of (Exodus), we find the story of a man named Moses, who became God’s
chosen deliverer. He was known as a friend of God. This mighty man of valor was
living on the backside of the desert, herding sheep, when God called him into
service from a burning bush that was not consumed by fire.
The Lord chose
Moses as His ambassador to demand that Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, let His
people go. Moses stepped out in the power of God and accomplished the task
before him after several plagues were unleashed upon Pharaoh and the
inhabitants of Egypt.
The children of
Israel were finally freed from their captors and the bondage they had endured
for years. Moses was an army of one.
Let us not forget
Noah. His story begins in (Genesis 6:13). He too was an army of one who
heard the voice of God compelling him to build an ark—not only to save his
family from the coming peril, but also male and female animals of every kind.
An ongoing
invitation to escape death was extended to all who believed what Noah
proclaimed. They would have been saved had they listened, but not one soul
heeded the warning. All perished during the forty days and forty nights of
torrential rain that Noah prophesied.
In (Joshua 6),
we find another devout man of God who knew the Lord’s voice when He spoke.
Joshua witnessed the miraculous collapse of Jericho’s walls after following
God’s instructions. The city was seized under his leadership. He was indeed an
army of one whom God used to accomplish His plan.
www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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