“But the Lord said to Gideon, ‘There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out 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.’” Judges 7:4 9 (NIV)
Gideon thought he was prepared for the battle ahead. In the previous chapter, God told Gideon He would give the Midianites into Gideon’s hands. Gideon was certain in his purpose and he tried to fulfill it the best way he knew how. Gideon couldn’t depend on himself and depend fully on God. So, Gideon allowed God to chip away at what he depended on, his own strength and the strength of his people, so that God’s power could shine though. In this way, there would be no doubt that God was victorious and that the people depended on God for help.
Are you putting your certainty and confidence in what you can do to accomplish your purpose? If so, there is a danger you’ll take credit for the success of what happens. Ultimately our life’s purpose is to give glory to God. If we take glory for ourselves, we work against our purpose in life.
Do you feel God removing things you have come to depend on? Do you feel a loosening of your own control and dependence on yourself? This can feel scary and uncomfortable until you realize it is leading you closer to fulfilling your purpose! As dependence on self decreases, our dependence on God can increase.
Take a moment to consider how God might be removing areas of dependence on self in order to increase your dependence on Him.
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