God gave me this in my time with him this morning, it is good so keep reading. Here is a brief summary.
The Lord tells Gideon to go to battle with Midian.
God tells Gideon, you have too many people.
God says it is because if there are many people the people will say they won by their own strength.
God tells Gideon to offer anyone who is scared the opportunity to leave.
22, 000 left.
Leaving only 10, 000
God says to Gideon, there are still too many.
9,700 are eliminated this time.
Leaving only 300
The bible says the other side was numerous, as the sands of the seashore, signifying many.
What was the problem? I am glad you asked. the Midianites had been robbing Gods people of their blessings, read the text of chapters 6 and 7.
What does this have to do with Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church? EVERYTHING!
We have 904 churches in Holston Conference. We have a vision that has been cast by the Witness Team and blessed by Bishop Swanson and many others around the United Methodist Church.
However, for whatever reason, many of the 904 churches are not participating in any way in these 90 days. I would venture to guess there are less than one-third of the congregations who have embraced this vision.
I want to say as God has said to Gideon, if too many people participated we would be apt to take the credit, 3000 souls saved and baptized by less than 300 churches will show the world that God is still on the throne. I don’t know how it is going to happen, God hasn’t shown me that. But I know in my Spirit that God called me to the 40 Day Fast and I know in my heart that He has 3000 souls that need to be nurtured and discipled in Holston churches. They are there and God has chosen to use us to gather in the harvest.
I am not discouraged, I am encouraged. One of the problems today is that many people cannot see the church doing anything more than human beings can orchestrate. We can’t orchestrate a revival that brings in 3000 people in 90 days, only God can do that and He has already begun. I am already celebrating.
I was discouraged last night when I broke the fast, however I know that I have been obedient and I need strength to do the work God has called me to over these next 50 days and beyond, so I eat but I eat differently.
I have already begun to do the work of an Evangelist, I hope you have also. The world has been robbing the church for far too long.
Ronnie
Joshua 6: 33
33 Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
Joshua 7: 1-8
Gideon Defeats the Midianites
1 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.
4 But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”
5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
7 The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.” 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.
Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley.
