Let Your Light Shine
One of the greatest battles in the history of Israel was won with just torches and trumpets. This was during the times of the judges, when the Midianites had oppressed and ruled over Israel. At the time of each harvest the Midianites armies would come to each Israeli village to take from them the fruit of their labor. Times were hard and the people began to cry out to the Lord for deliverance. God chose a very unsuspecting person to deliver Israel. His name was Gideon, the son of Joash. Israel had no weapons of war and no trained army. For years they had been pillaged by their enemies and fear ruled in their hearts. They remembered the stories of their ancestors, of how God had delivered them from slavery in Egypt, but they had long abandoned the God of their fathers to serve the gods of their oppressors.
As in the days of Moses, God did not need armies to defeat the enemy. He just needed obedience. Fear was their greatest obstacle and God first set out to free Gideon from this inner enemy before he could lead the people into victory. He was hiding in the winepress of his father when the angel of the Lord approached him. His self-doubts were confronted as the angel heralded him with this salutation: “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” (Judges 6.10) Gideon’s arguments were based on his limitations, yet God responded with His power and strength. Finally Gideon conceded and called the tribes to unite in battle against the Midianites. 32,000 responded. These untrained, unarmed farmers were few in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of well-trained soldiers that came up against them, but God said they were too many. He told Gideon to send home all those who were fearful and 22,000 returned to their tents. 10,000 remained, yet the Lord tested them again and only 300 were left.
These 300 Israelis were told to take only with them a jar, a torch and a trumpet. The jar was to conceal the torch, until just the right time. They circled the camp of the Midianite hosts and when Gideon signaled, they all broke the jars, the light shown forth, the trumpets were blown and they all cried out: “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon”. (Judges 7.20) The enemy began killing each other as they fled for their lives. That day over 120,000 mighty soldiers were killed and the people of Israel were delivered.
The lesson we can learn from this is that the light in us must come forth for the darkness to be expelled. We are to throw away the bushel that hides the candle. We are let our light shine before men and show forth the good works of the Lord. Fear is like the jar that conceals the light. As the light shines forth, the fear that holds you back passes to the enemy and he is destroyed. All of Israel was blessed because of the obedience of a few men, who let their light shine. They sounded the trumpets and boldly shouted out: “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.” This talks of partnership. The sword of the Lord is divine strength and the sword of Gideon is human involvement. Without the Lord we can do nothing, but without our involvement, He will do nothing. Shout out: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4.13) Again, shout out: “We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.” (Romans 8.37) Thinking God will do it alone is presumption. Thinking we can do it without God is pride. Those who are walking in darkness are waiting for your light to shine forth. Their salvation is waiting for your obedience.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Judges 7; Is. 9.2; Mat. 5.14-16; Luke 11.33; Romans 8.37; Phil. 4.13