The 300

I had intimated in previous posts that God had told Greg and I that things were about to change. Boy, have they ever! Things that we had been asking God for the last two years, suddenly fell into place. And of course God's timing was involved. Somehow though, the events of the last few months instead of making me feel joyful at the outcome of answered prayers, I have felt uneasy.I think that is just how I'm supposed to feel.

I have learned in my Christian walk that God primarily speaks through his Word. Over and over again through either my daily reading in the "One Year Bible On-line" or a current bible study that I had been led to, God gave me just the right message to get me through that season of life. Of course, now is no different. Before I expand, let me just say this. If you are a believer, it is essential to read your bible. Without it, you are unable to hear the primary method for God's communication. Yes, he will use circumstances, and the Holy Spirit, but these are always in the context of the message/the Word he has already given us. Secondly, his word is our primary defensive weapon against the attacks of the enemy. Without it, and the knowledge of God's promises and truth it reveals, you are vulnerable to Satan's lies. If you don't know the truth, how can you recognize a lie? I've really come to believe that the majority of Christians who remain  in defeat or bondage, are doing so because they don't know the word/read their bible. I can say that because it was true for me and I witness it in the people I talk to every day.

Not coincidentally I am working on a bible study about Gideon by Priscilla Shirer. Gideon's story appears during a few small chapters in the book of Judges. At the time the people of Israel were being harassed repeatedly by the Midianites, because they had failed to eliminate them completely in the past as directed. God calls Gideon, an insecure, frightened man to lead the charge against their enemy. But in the process, he whittles away everything that might bring him comfort or a sense of personal strength. Gideon starts the fight with 32,000 men to go up against the 135,000 Midianites. God next gives him some criteria for sending the majority of his army home. In the end he is left with 300 men. The odds increased from 4:1 to 450:1. Thus God minimized pride's chances of taking any credit for the victory.  I'm sure Gideon was feeling pretty uneasy at that point. I think I understand. But our weakness, positions us to see God's strength and our humility causes the door to God's power in our lives to be opened.

Right now I feel like I have the 300... or maybe I  should say the 3(Greg,Cameron & Ben). I've seen a lot of  things that used to bring me comfort in my mind fall away over the last few months. I work alone with no back up. My peers chose to reject me. We sold our home in Niceville (answered prayer); so, now I live in a 700 sq ft cottage with one bathroom to share and 4 animals. I've seen many 'friendships' fall away due to either geographical or emotional distance. This hasn't cultivated sadness in me, but rather humility.  You see my comfort isn't found in those things anymore...it's found in knowing the Lord more. This gift of weakness has positioned me right where God wants me - to see his power in my life. For the first year of my current season of life, I pleaded with God to take it away. I continually looked for a way out or for rescue to come. God wouldn't change my circumstances because he was waiting for my heart to change. I've fully come to grasp Paul releasing to God and  to understand that his grace is sufficient for me and in my weakness his strength is made great. Even when I have little, if I am obedient, God will multiply my efforts.

I'm sensing victory is right around the corner. He has already shown me glimpses of my promised land/inheritance that he has for me. My job is simply to dispossess the enemy.