I enjoy the occasional challenge, but I like to keep those challenges to a minimum, so I can feel capable and in control. And if I’m honest, I’m happy with this life of manageable risks—enough to create some excitement but not so much that it requires great faith. There’s an underlying pride to living like this because when things go well, I can answer, “Oh that’s easy. I did it myself.”
News flash: God doesn’t need me, and He doesn’t need you.
I know that sounds harsh, but that’s kind of the point of Judges 7. I wonder if that’s what Gideon told his men that day as they prepared to face down the greatest enemy of their time. “Are you scared? You can leave. God doesn’t need you.” In that one moment, two-thirds of Gideon’s army walked away. Can you imagine? You’re standing there, covered in armor, and the person to your left and your right both leave. The field must have felt very empty.
But God wasn’t done whittling down the troops. He told Gideon to take his men to the water and split them into “kneelers” and “lappers.” Commentaries disagree about the “How do they drink water?” test; some argue that it was an arbitrary way to narrow down the fighting force quickly while others wonder if the “lappers” let down their guard. Could it be that God chose to use the most irresponsible men to make the victory that much more miraculous? Regardless, what was a force of more than 30,000 at the beginning of the day had been narrowed to just 300.
We know how this story ends, but the men in Gideon’s army did not. And as much as God reassured them, on paper it was a futile mission. This risk didn’t require strength or chariots or better weapons or more “hustle.” It required faith in divine intervention. It required them to rely on God alone, to “be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength” (Ephesians 6:10).
The men who went into the valley needed faith, but the men who were sent away needed it just the same. I can imagine their startled disbelief as Gideon pointed them away from the water. “Wait! We’re the fearless ones! Surely God needs us!” But He didn’t, and those men needed to know where their power came from. For the men who left and the men who went down into the valley, God’s strength combined with their faith led to an epic victory.
God loves you, but He doesn’t need you. And that isn’t harsh news—it’s freedom. No matter how deep the valley, no matter how big the army you’re up against, He’s not waiting for you to build some spiritual muscle in order to handle that challenge. He already has the strength. All He needs is for you to have faith in Him—whether He’s calling you to face it or walk away.
Gideon wasn’t the only warrior who God sent seemingly outnumbered into battle. In the war for our souls, God sent His Son Jesus to take down humanity’s greatest enemy. Jesus went into the valley alone, voluntarily laying down His life, taking the punishment we deserve, so we could claim His victory over death. This is how strong our God is. Nothing can stand up to Him. Not even death itself.
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62 thoughts on "Gideon’s Army"
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I just got my new she reads Bible today. Can someone please help me understand how to do the weeks that begin in each new chapter of the Bible and when do I read the devotions. I have googled and used YouTube with no help. Thank you!
I love this verse— 10 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10
Kristine Loughman – I love this! I hadn’t thought about it that way.
Amazing so good!
My husband and I are Gideon’s, so I love to read the story of him! I wonder if he has the men yell “for God and for Gideon” to let it be known that the dream and the interpretation was true!? Not to boost himself up but to honor the Lord
@Cynthia J., you are in my prayers. You are not alone. This world is not for the faint of heart and I have many moments of fear too. I’ve been memorizing scripture about fearing not and reciting it in the middle of the night when I’m full of fear. It makes helps! One thing I know, since we are still alive then it is God’s will and purpose for us to be here and to increase our faith!
I’ve heard this saying before, but I love that they added “it’s freedom”! It’s pretty amazing that God chooses to use us even when we, like Gideon, doubt him.
Praise God❤️
@CASSANDRA ROSE I too am in the job search process and understand that feeling of hoping for a response in your email after you’ve applied for all these positions. I remind myself daily that He has that one perfect job for and the perfect time. Continue to hold on to that faith that you have. He will reveal Himself. Praying for you.
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I love the story of Gideon!!!! Michelle C, your post is spot on :) Gideon is so real and relatable. Plus there is the great Veggie Tales movie about these verses. I love it too!!
Oh, ya, CYNTHIA JOHNSTON… come, Lord Jesus!
“The attack did require strength… it required faith in divine intervention.” This speaks volumes. Love this! Wrote it in my Bible. Good night she reads truth girlies
Wow! “God loves you, but He doesn’t need you. And that isn’t harsh news—it’s freedom.” If I had printer ink, I would print this and put this up where I can always see it! So powerful.
@SARAH D – not sure you’re still here but I am praying your school year has been going well at your new job.
10 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10. I like many others could have taken that devotional the wrong way! I tend to fear if I make a sin that I am going to be punished even though I know God doesn’t work like that. We have to learn to trust and obey. @TAYLOR – thank you!! Happy Monday ladies
“to be strengthened by the Lord and His vast strength “ I need to remember this… to have faith in His divine intervention and to rely on God alone.
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Claire – this is perfect timing! God loves me but he doesn’t need me…I needed to hear that this morning. Be as blunt as ya want, girlfriend!
I was in a massage a few months ago and the masseuse was massaging an old injury and I was resisting her a bit to avoid a re-injury and she said, “Don’t help me!” And in that moment, I heard God say it to me as well in a situation I’m facing. The more we get in the way, the more we hinder His plan — He’s trying to work but we’re messing it up. But THIS devo…SO good.
“No matter how deep the valley, no matter how big the army that you’re up against, He’s not waiting for you to build some spiritual muscle in order to handle that challenge. He already has the strength. All He needs is for you to have faith in Him — whether He’s calling you to face it — or to walk away.”
I think Claire’s devotion was so inspired by God this morning. So many She’s have said how much we needed this morning. God knew exactly when we would be reading about Gideon, and Claire’s devotion. He knew exactly when we would need this lesson. Praise God!!
God equips those He calls. The equipment He gave Gideon’s army were rams horns, a pottery pitcher, and a candle. With those pieces of equipment, He used their faith in Him to conquer a much larger army. What is He waiting to conquer in my life if I will only have faith that He will equip me with all the tools I need?
This was one of the most moving lessons I’ve read lately. I’m thanking God for His word, for Claire’s devotional, for each of you She’s comments, and for God’s amazing, miraculous timing to touch each of us today.
I am praying for all of you, and prayed for each request as I read it.
I’m excited to see how God will use this lesson in me, and how He will speak to me in tomorrow’s reading.
Blessings Cassandra- I am praying for you and your family. He will deliver it into your hands. Wait on the lord. We are laborers with GOD. We wait actively, patiently and expectantly as he is working with us. Until then be strengthened by the LORD and the power of his might.
To GOD BE THE GLORY.
I am seeing Judges as a testimony of Gods unconditional love! He is there, he is allowing his people to grow, learn, hurt and love. A parent to a child love. No matter how much his children mess up/turn away from him. He is still there, loving.
Happy Monday she’s,
The devotional today shed light on some precious and subtle matters. Such gold nuggets that we got to taste- thank you so much CLAIRE! The Lord reduced their number down to 1% (300K to 300)- who among us trust in military numbers? Numbers provide some security, they always say there is power in numbers, but not in this story. God comes and proposes this “great” idea, dear child, reduce all your resources to 1%, and go forth into war? Oh Lord have mercy on the faint of heart. My study bible also noted that, their tactics were the torches, the trumpet and the jars, no swords were used ironically – scarcely a military tactics. It’s nobody’s tactics, ever! God’s ways are so different than ours. If I was one of those that got turned away and told to go home, what would I be thinking? Phew, I got spared today of the carnage. What if I was among the chosen 300, what would I feel? Murmuring against my leader maybe of how foolish this is? But no.. my jaws would be dropping after all is said and done, my first words coming back would be “you wouldn’t believe what happened! No swords were used! Complete victory”. Truly God does not need us to win. What liberating truth. Our strength holding up the weight of the many spiritual (and physical) battles is like toothpick holding up a boulder. And He knows! But do we know? Translating into our daily life battles, what can we learn from today’s lesson? How could we apply the same battle tactics to overcome and win by God’s might? We might just have the 1% left of strength, of capacity, of joy, of hope, but look, God does not need the 99% of us to win. Just 1% is enough for Him to work with. Have hope on your 1%. How amazingly incredible and wonderful this news is! He just wants us to march forth, trust, take a deep breath or two, cry an utter war cry, blow the trumpet, let the torch shine, the vessels be broken, brace our heart to see the mighty Jehovah Nissi come through. Saying prayers for our dear requests, may the Lord make you the Gideon of your situation. Be blessed dear sisters.
CEE GEE – Wow, thank you for your comment. I wrote so much of it in my notes!
I’m glad God doesn’t need me because I would feel incapable. Only through Him can I be any kind of light in this world.
I’m new here, this is my first week. I believe this reading calls so strongly to me for a number of reasons:
I took a chance and moved across the country with my fiancé in Faith.
Some troubles occurred and my fiancé lost his job without the opportunity to have one lined up and without me having a job.
After countless applications and being so hopeful for an email with good news this morning, I found out I didn’t receive any of the jobs I’d applied for (at least a dozen).
My fiancé and I have no money and no jobs despite our tireless efforts to secure one.
I feel as though there is an army fighting against me. I prayed to God before my reading and asked him to show me what to do.
I must stand fast in the trials and tribulations and allow God to provide for my family and I in a way I never have. This is my test of faith and I believe that’s the message as it’s applicable to my life.
I humbly ask for the praying power of strangers and sisters in Christ that my fiancé and I will have a breakthrough soon and learn of Gods love even more.
Lifting you up in prayer
Laura–you are not alone in your weakness! Perhaps, God has brought you to this low point in order to break beliefs, habits, etc. so you will be ready for His next step. And, like the men in Judges, your faith in God will conquer your enemy.
Sorry to post a third time, But; I did listen to a message today on the radio with the late Charles Stanley titled “God’s Purpose” which speaks of the reasons God could be using our trials. It was good if you look up In Touch Ministries, and go to today’s radio message! I hope to listen to the SRT podcast for this week as well, I’m sure it is worth our time! Be blessed sisters!
@Cynthia Johnston- Prayers for you! And NO, you are not the only one! But yet, we must stand tall, and Trust and Obey. If we are here, God is not done with us yet! I often feel tired and done, but then I am uplifted by others. Just like Gideon, God kept helping him with little hoops to go through to show Him, and He sent a friend with Gideon. I know the world looks broken as well, and wears us down as well. Come Jesus! Oh Glorious Day!!
GM She’s!
Wow! The scripture (and notes), the devotional by Claire Gibson, were both so good and thought provoking! Then reading through the comments you all continued to make me ponder it all with your great insights. It is actually so freeing that we can take the load off ourselves and just trust. Trust and Obey. It’s the only way to be happy in Jesus. One of my favorite hymns. I really want to be used by God in a special way, not for bragging rights, but to be a light for Him because I love Him. We can get into the often debatable “affliction topic” of “having enough faith to be healed” in our pain group. But I hold strong that MANY love and have faith to be healed (or in this case go into the battle), but God’s plan, whether to send us home, or keep our affliction is not about us, it’s about Him. (Does that make sense?) I love Him in the healing or the pain. When we get instant healing, we forget quickly. But what do we do when the battle is long and on-going. (Like Laura alluded to so touchingly!) Sometimes we have to give it up, walk away because although we don’t understand how God is working, He is! For our good, those who believe, and trust and obey!
Love you all! (My neck is still kinked and tight, and hurting back…But God!) His way, my open hands!)
Thank you so much!
Please pray for me. I admit I’m scared. I just want to go home to be with the Lord. I am tired of this broken world. I just want Jesus to come back and make everything new. Am I the only one who feels this way?
God loves you but He doesn’t need you- whew if that’s not a word I don’t know what is! How convicting! I was just thinking to myself “how is God going to use me” in a certain situation and now I am reminded “it’s not always about you Allison”. Whew a lot to meditate on today. What is my faith anchored to? Wishing everyone a beautiful Monday
Good morning, sweet She’s. Admittedly, it was hard to get up this morning! I like when Claire said that God doesn’t need us, and even though it sounds somewhat harsh it’s not meant to be. What I got from today’s devotion is, when we are weak, He is strong. Our God can use anyone He wants, even the least of these even, the week because He will prevail. God is so good! During my weakest moments, I know that I know HE was/is with me. @ Michele Patire,
Thank you for your encouraging words. And you are correct, she is mature for her age. I remind myself that she’s still a teenager and young but I’m grateful she has a good head on her shoulders, and it’s all because of Jesus.
Amen Elaine! Thank you “she’s” for all your wise comments. Have a good day!
I love that too, Mackenzie. In that one experience, Gideon saw God’s amazing omniscience and His deep love for Gideon. How very like our powerful, loving LORD.
Judges 7 will be my life chapter from now on. I have lived this so many times in my 58 years, yet I still can’t seem to learn it or remember it. When I am at my weakest, that is when I see His strength more clearly. This weekend I have allowed myself to slip into a pity-party valley. I feel defeated and hopeless by my life circumstances right now. Nothing seems to be getting better, and in fact, many things seem to be getting worse. Everyone tells me how strong I am, I have heard that most of my life, yet I have no strength left. Completely depleted. And so this reading today, this life chapter of Judges 7 will be my battle cry. I need you, Lord Jesus, to fight this battle, because I am one of the men who walked away…I am scared.
@Jessica, I will be praying for your son and your family. Praying for peace, friendships, and faith as your son starts a new school.
What I needed to hear. God doesn’t need me. My job is to trust Him and obey! ELAINE M. What a great point! He is the source of our strength. Thank you Lord!
This was so so good this morning! I’m thinking about sharing it with my family for our devotional. Time after dinner tonight. Thank you so much for those of you who prayed for my 20 year old son last week and his struggle with hopelessness. The week continued to be pretty rough. My husband and I talked quite a bit on Saturday and really felt a need for wisdom in a couple of key areas. Yesterday we experienced three separate things that seemed like the beginning of an answer in these areas- such an encouragement to my faith. We are now going to try and move forward on some of that this week. I would appreciate continued prayers for us and my son. It hurts my mother’s heart to see him struggle so much.
I was struck today by the fact that God even includes people like Gideon in His work…includes ME in His work. All the tests, and double-checking by Gideon – and God humors him in all of it. Why? All I can think of is that God loves relationship, and that means meeting someone where they are at just to be with them. Obviously God doesn’t need to do all the “hoop jumping” as it feels like in this chapter, but the time and relationship spent with Gideon speaks volumes of a Mighty God who doesn’t need us, but WANTS us to come along in His work.
He wants me, even though He doesn’t need me. It’s lovely to be wanted – especially when I am feeling all of my weakness.
I have to say Claire had me with that first sentence of the devo! Great devo, CLAIRE GIBSON; thank you!
This is too good not to share – from Vines Expository Study Notes:
“Gideon divided his three hundred men into three armed companies and issued their special equipment: a trumpet to blow, an empty pitcher to break, and a torch to burn (7:16). We have to agree these are strange weapons, but they remind us of 2 Corinthians 10:4: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” God’s weapons and ways of fighting are not always the conventional weapons of war. … These three weapons remind us of our warfare today. First, the trumpet reminds us of our witness (1 Cor. 14:8; 1 Thess. 1:8). We are to be witnesses for the Lord every day, but we also need to be sure our witness is clear and consistent. Second, the clay pitcher reminds us of our weakness (2 Cor. 4:7). We should never be proud or boastful about what we do because it is always what God does through us; in reality, we are just weak vessels. Third, the burning torch reveals the worthiness we have through Christ. Again, 2 Corinthians 4:7 tells us every Christian has the treasure of salvation within his or her fragile vessel. In our brokenness, we can be the light of the world (Matt. 5:14).”
When I am afraid, I will (I WILL!!!) trust in Him!
Praying for a great week of study and revelation for each of us and praying for each SHE – those we see and those we don’t see!
Have a wonderful day Sisters. Keeping you all in prayer this week. ❤️
How humbling, as well as freeing to be reminded that God is in control and He really doesn’t need me.
Lol, the lapping of the water reminds me of how people call impressive men in sports “dogs”
– they are highly motivated, thriving on opposition. I’m not sure if the lapping of water is a sign of weakness or strength in this story, but that’s what it reminded me of and made me laugh. Pro players always call their teammates “dogs” when they do something impressive.
:D it’s peak sports season here in America, so I know some of you ladies feel me… Lots happening.
I believe that God intends to take away our resources sometimes to get the glory. Like when our car breaks down, when we lose our jobs, when we lack finances… I think that is a set up for His glory. To remind us that we can’t live on bread alone… That He alone is our savior and provider. In this case, He takes away 31,700 soldiers to prove He can win at any cost. He could have won with just Gideon, now that I think of it.
I pray to remember God’s ability to win. How often do I rely on my own mental strength and physical ability. God, thank you for your grace and mercy. Without you we can do nothing, as Your word says.
@Mari V- glad to hear the trip was a success. Your daughter sounds so mature for age! God bless her. May she continue to find success in the Lord, despite the opinions of others. She is gonna be such a strong young adult, I think. :) God bless you both.
I’m so glad God doesn’t need me, because I fear I would fail every time! The world thinks – bigger, stronger, smarter is better, but we know different. It is in our weakest moments, when we have know idea what we should do – that God shows us He is all we need. This account on Judges is a reminder that all we need to do is to trust & obey and He will do the rest!
@Michelle Patire – praying for you and your “at home” situation.
Continuing to pray for all your requests! Thank you for your prayers – I made it safely to TN without anxiety or panic attacks! Praise the Lord!!
Have a blessed Monday!
Hahahahaha, Claire Gibson…
“News flash: God doesn’t need me, and He doesn’t need you.”
But this is no joke…
“ God loves you, but He doesn’t need you.”
And yet more on “the lap test”. My study Bible notes agree that there is some debate, but that the 300 who lapped may have been MORE alert because they are drinking, yet still able to look around as they were drinking. (I see my dogs doing this… they’re drinking, yet they are aware of what is going in around them because they are looking around as they drink.)
I think our main takeaway should be that God can do what He wants, but He doesn’t NEED our help (and that is NOT to say that we should sit back on our backsides and do nothing!) Let’s not try to be figuring out what WE can do in a hard place. We need to ask Him to help us, and ask what He wants us to do to help. It may be nothing more than just having faith to wait on Him. It may require action on our part, but let’s ask him Him to tell us, sweet she’s!
Dependence. Trust. Surrender. Faith. That is our calling. I can think of a few areas in my life where I need to practice those more. Lifting up the prayer requests and praying everyone has a blessed Monday <3
@Kimberly Z I hope you had a great birthday weekend with your friends!
@Kelly (NEO) thanks for reaching out about Wendy. Once my mom started her school year, she has not been able to help Wendy as she lives an hour away. I asked her this weekend and my mom said she tried to help her find a car but Wendy didn't like any of the options. My mom said they haven't spoken in awhile so hopefully she is okay and has more local friends to help her.
Amen!!! ❤️❤️❤️
We may never know how many battles have been fought for us in the heavens above but I take much comfort knowing God is in control. He doesn’t need me to help Him. He wants me to trust Him and be obedient. I am trying to do that. It humbles me to know that I cannot fight the spiritual battles for my soul. I am dependent on Him. Where I am weak You are strong!
Jesus, thank you for laying down your life so we could claim victory over
I’m so thankful for the timing of this study. God doesn’t need me.Thank the Lord for that! I wrote last week about struggling with my prodigal-ish young teenager. We’ve made a major, sudden change with him: enrolling him in a Christian school after several years of homeschooling. We are praying and hoping it’s a good change. The hope is that he would find good friends, and we honestly hope that having some other adults as authority figures for him will improve our relationship. It’s good to have the reminder that God doesn’t need me. It is the LORD that has the power to change his heart, and it is Him that we are trusting for my boy’s future. My son starts later this week…he is nervous, and the rest of the family is struggling with the fact that we will see him a lot less, but we have to try something different.
I also love that God gave Gideon the option to take Purah with him if he was afraid! It makes such a difference when we know we aren’t going alone into something difficult!
Amen!!
Father thank You that the battle is Yours. Reward my faith and forgive my doubt. In Jesus name, Amen
In that first weeding out, when the men who were afraid were allowed to leave… that would have been an answer to prayer for many of them. I bet there were young men who had been drafted into the army, there were probably old men. There were moms and wives at home Praying desperately for their men to come home. And then 22,000 are released to walk back through the doors of their homes. That would have seemed like a miracle for them. Sometimes the story of God’s miracles is big and flashy. And sometimes God’s miracle is quiet, like getting to come home before the fight even starts.
“God loves you, but He doesn’t need you. And that isn’t harsh news—it’s freedom.”
So true!
Have a great day
Amen
9 That same night the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. 10 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. – Judges 7:9-10 I love this verse because it shows that God knows what we need. Like how Gideon was afraid God knew he was going to be afraid and need a little motivation so that is what God gave him.
The freedom of God not needing me. That he isn’t relying on me to have some extra strength or something, but that he is going to give me what I need to do what he has called me to do makes it so much easier to answer the call.
God loves you, but He doesn’t need you. And that isn’t harsh news—it’s freedom. No matter how deep the valley, no matter how big the army you’re up against, He’s not waiting for you to build some spiritual muscle in order to handle that challenge. He already has the strength. All He needs is for you to have faith in Him—whether He’s calling you to face it or walk away.
The first 2 lines above sure did make my heart miss a beat.. but what a relief it is to know that His love for me is NOT dependent on anything I do, but everything to do with His love for me.
BUT GOD..
HE fights my battles, MY sinful battles, or the battle waged against me, I need only trust in Him for guidance, victory and the hope that only He can be.
What an absolute blessing of a freedom that is not of my own doing .. BUT GODS..
AMEN.
Happy Monday dear hearts wrapped in love and hugs covered in prayers ❤️