GIDEON - On the Way to Victory
GIDEON -
On the Way to Victory
We have a blessed assurance beyond every doubt that if we put our trust completely in God, He will reinforce our courage to face any circumstance. Gideon’s call and unusual strategies proved that God’s calls are His enabling – we cannot strategize for God and we cannot counsel Him. The best we can do is to totally surrender our wills, in implicit obedience and watch Him win the total victory.
1. How many men were in Gideon’s original army? How many returned from Mount Gilead, and for what reason?
Many are called - Gospel call is universal
Motive and attitudes matter after answering Gospel call
A good beginning is good but going all the way is best
Our walk and work with God would be tested
We are going to need more than crowd influence
-It is a personal walk - Not popular opinion
Spiritual walk is not family/peer coordination - You're personally responsible and answerable
God told Gideon to tell those who were fearful and afraid, to return home. -As a result, 22,000 men departed from the army.
Fear, terror, and faintheartedness are as contagious in the ranks of Christian soldiers as they are in any other walk of life.
God will remove them.
Other reason for God dismissing these men of Gideon’s army
-They might be prevented from taking credit unto themselves for the victory that God would give.
Men who do not have the moral courage to face the enemy in combat would have no scruples in claiming the victory to themselves after the combat was successfully ended.
God wanted the honor of this battle reserved for Himself.
God intentionally reduces human strength so that His glory is revealed
God is not impressed by crowds, resources, or popularity — He is moved by faith, obedience, and surrender.
2. Fear Is Highly Contagious in the Ranks
Fear spreads faster than courage and weakens the entire army.
Fear is not private — it is infectious.
One frightened heart can paralyze many faithful ones.
3. God Removes Fearful Soldiers Before the Battle:
God Himself filters out fear, terror, and faintheartedness because they sabotage His purpose.
God deliberately reduced the army twice — from 32,000 → 10,000 → 300.
God would rather fight with 300 courageous believers than 32,000 divided hearts.
4. God Tests Before He Triumphs:
Every army of faith goes through a divine testing before experiencing divine victory.
God looks for: Alertness, Discipline, Watchfulness, Readiness for battle
When God leads the battle, quality always outweighs quantity.
6. Application:
Fear Must Be Confronted, Not Comforted
Fear must be driven out before faith can advance.
God Is Still Purifying His Army
God Still Wins Through the Few
The church’s power is not in numbers but in consecration.
Your Identity: - The enemy knows you and your assured victory
14 And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
15 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.
14 And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.
15 And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.
“Fear paralyzes faith and blinds the soul to God’s power.”
“Fear is faith in the enemy.”
“Fear makes mountains out of molehills and turns possibilities into impossibilities.”
“Fear is a poor counselor.”
“Where fear rules, God’s voice is muted.”
“Fear robs today of its strength and tomorrow of its hope.”
“Terror overwhelms the mind and weakens the will.”
“Terror magnifies the enemy and minimizes God.”
“Terror makes strong men stumble and wise men lose direction.”
“A faint heart cannot fight a strong battle.”
“Faintheartedness is the slow leak of spiritual courage.”
“Fainthearted believers are easily defeated before the battle begins.”
“A faint heart produces weary feet and a silent testimony.”
“Fear turns victory into retreat.”
“Faintheartedness invites defeat before the enemy even attacks.”
“Fear weakens prayer and shortens obedience.”
“Faith does not deny fear; it dethrones it.”
“Courage is faith standing its ground.”
“When God is in control, fear has no authority.”
“The moment you choose faith, fear loses its throne.”
Your decision is your choice
Your actions and choices have far reaching effects
If you do well, you will be accepted
-If you're not doing well, there's room for change
God does not work with profiles and numbers
After God put the soldiers through another test there remained 300 men. This is not the way humans would have gone about winning the battle. God’s ways are not man’s ways. He often works in an opposite way from what man would think or expect.
When man looks for increase, God sometimes commands reduction.
When man seeks strength in numbers, God seeks strength in surrender.
Yet the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many. Judges 7:4
Human logic says: “We need more soldiers.” God says: “You have too many.”
2. God Reduces What Man Relies On:
God strips away human confidence so that divine power becomes undeniable.
God removes what we trust in so we may fully trust in Him.
3. God’s Testing Produces God’s Choosing:
God’s method of selection is never random; it is always purposeful.
4. God’s Strategy Confounds Human Wisdom:
What looks like weakness in God’s hands becomes unstoppable strength.
5. God’s Perspective Is Infinitely Higher
We see limitation; God sees victory.
We see loss; God sees preparation.
6. Application:
Trust God’s Process Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense
Accept God’s Reductions as Divine Preparations
Expect God to Work Beyond Human Calculation
Isaiah 55:8,9 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
“God’s plans do not rise from the earth; they descend from heaven.”
“What confuses man often completes God’s purpose.”
“God’s wisdom is not the improvement of human wisdom — it replaces it.”
“God sees the end before the beginning; man sees only the beginning.”
“Heaven’s logic does not consult earth’s reasoning.”
“When man says ‘increase,’ God often says ‘reduce.’”
“What looks like loss in man’s eyes is often preparation in God’s hands.”
“God often removes what we depend on so we may depend on Him.”
“God’s way to victory often passes through surrender.”
“God’s way up usually begins by going down.”
“God builds His kingdom with broken tools and impossible plans.”
“God’s methods may confuse men, but they never fail God’s purpose.”
“Faith obeys without needing to understand.”
“When God is in control, human logic must take a seat.”
“What God subtracts, He multiplies.”
“When God reduces your resources, He is increasing His involvement.”
Tests are for promotion and call to higher ground and responsibilities
We need not fail - God provided the answer, strategies and supports
Prepare ahead - Don't wait for the test to come unawares/unprepared
- You may not have prior notice of when you’re being tested for a higher call or responsibilities
Your attitude matters - watch it
The best is best for God
The enemy was virtually before Israel’s army, yet these soldiers could seemingly forget everything else for the moment to take their refreshment.
That was not so with the 300 men who scooped water with their hands, putting it to their mouth.
- This signified their awareness of the situation that confronted them. -Before them was a chance for deliverance, and they were eager to be about God’s business. There was no time to drink leisurely.
They were keeping their thoughts and eyes upon the action that would soon engage them.
It did not appear to be a great thing that marked the separation between the band of 300 men who were chosen and the 9,700 men who were rejected.
It does not always take a great misconduct to separate a person from God’s choice band.
“The little foxes . . . spoil the vines” (Song of Solomon 2:15).
What man calls small, God calls significant.
What man overlooks, God evaluates.
Little compromises slowly destroy great destinies.
2. A Simple Act Revealed Deep Character:
The way the soldiers drank water seemed insignificant, yet it determined their destiny.
It was not a great sin that separated the 300
it was a small detail that revealed their spiritual posture.
3. Attention to Detail Separates the Chosen from the Crowd:
The 9,700 were not immoral, rebellious, or cowardly, they were simply less watchful, less alert, less disciplined.
It does not take a great misconduct to miss God’s highest calling sometimes it only takes carelessness.
4. Little Habits Reveal Big Hearts:
Private habits reveal public destiny.
Small decisions shape eternal outcomes.
5. Little Things Can Ruin Great Work:
Unchecked small compromises eventually destroy great purposes.
6. Application:
Guard Your Little Habits
Refuse Small Compromises
Be Faithful in Private
Stay Spiritually Alert
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. Ecclesiastes 10:1
Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Song of Solomon 2:15 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
“Small neglects often lead to great failures.”
“It is the little things that reveal the heart, and the heart determines destiny.”
“Tiny compromises can separate the faithful from the chosen.”
“What seems insignificant to man can be decisive to God.”
“God’s choice is often determined by attention to the small details.”
“The difference between the crowd and the chosen is often found in the unnoticed habits.”
“God examines the heart in ways that man cannot see.”
“A small flaw in the spirit can disqualify one from God’s assignment.”
“Faintheartedness, carelessness, or inattentiveness can separate the faithful from the victorious.”
“God values obedience in the little things as much as in the great.”
“Great failures often begin with small compromises; great obedience begins with faithful attention to little things.”
“The difference between the crowd and the chosen is often found in the small things.”
“Great falls usually begin with small neglects.”
“Little obedience releases great anointing.”
Faithfulness is never cheap
The inner circle - Not the outskirts
Centre of God’s will - Right frequency and in tune with God
- How many men did God used to deliver the Children of Israel from Egypt.
-How many men did it take to slay the giant Goliath?
-How many men did Jesus choose to be His Apostles
When people put their trust completely in God, He can and will bring about His desired result.
It should not matter to the people involved, the method that God uses to work out His will.
Without doubt, God would use more people in His harvest fields if there were more who would yield completely to His will.
God is never limited by how many are available — only by how many are fully yielded.
God does not choose the many, He chooses the surrendered.
2. Total Yielding Is the Price of Divine Usefulness:
God cannot fully use a person who is only partially surrendered.
The 300 yielded: their safety, their reputation, their understanding and their future
3. Complete Trust Releases God’s Power:
When people place absolute confidence in God, the outcome becomes God’s responsibility.
4. God’s Methods Do Not Need Human Approval:
Faith obeys even when the method seems unreasonable.
Breaking pitchers and blowing trumpets was not military logic, it was divine strategy.
5. God Always Achieves His Desired Result Through Trusting Hearts
When believers surrender fully, God’s purposes cannot fail.
6. Application:
Yield completely — not selectively
Obey without demanding explanation
Measure success by faithfulness, not logic
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. Zechariah 4:6
“God cannot use a man fully until the man fully yields.”
“God asks not for perfection, but for surrender.”
“A yielded heart is the gateway to divine power.”
“God’s work is limited not by His power, but by our willingness.”
“A heart half surrendered will never see God’s full blessing.”
“God can do more with one fully surrendered life than with ten who are half-hearted.”
“The harvest remains abundant, but the workers must first be obedient.”
“God is always looking for hearts that say, ‘Here am I, use me.’”
“The world is ripe for God’s work; what it lacks is fully yielded hearts.”
“God is not looking for ability; He is looking for availability.”
“When God has your heart, He already has your future.”
“Fully surrendered people in the hands of an all-powerful God are unstoppable.”
Trust?
- “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something”;
-“to place confidence”;
-“to depend.”
Gideon trusted God completely, and he found that God reinforced his courage to perform what seemed to be an impossible assignment.
Trust is not partial reliance — it is total dependence.
True trust leaves no room for backup plans outside of God.
2. Trust Is a Daily Commitment, Not a One-Time Decision:
Trust is practiced continually in the ordinary affairs of life.
Trust produces steady obedience and daily provision.
3. Trust Means Placing Your Future in God’s Hands:
Trust hands over direction, outcomes, and timing to God.
4. Trust Is Choosing God Over Human Support:
Trust is deciding where your ultimate security lies.
Human help may fail — God never does.
5. Trust Delivers from Fear and Anxiety:
Fear grows where trust is weak; peace grows where trust is strong.
Trust breaks fear’s control over the heart.
6. Trust Produces Stability in Uncertain Times:
Trust anchors the soul when circumstances shift.
7. Trust Is Rooted in Living Hope:
Trust grows out of knowing who God is and what He has promised.
Trust rests on God’s living presence, not on visible proof.
Psalm 37:3,5 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 118:8; 8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Proverbs 3:5; 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 29:25; 25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Isaiah 26:4; 4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
1 Timothy 4:10 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
“Trust is not knowing what will happen, but knowing who holds the future.”
“Faith that trusts God turns mountains into molehills.”
“Trust is the lever by which God moves the impossible.”
“Courage is simply faith acting boldly in the face of fear.”
“Where trust reigns, fear loses its throne.”
“The greater the assignment, the greater the need to trust Him completely.”
“Trust unlocks supernatural strength for natural impossibilities.”
“When God’s people trust Him, He turns human weakness into divine victory.”
“Trust is the bridge that carries us over the impossible.”
“God honors the man who obeys even when he does not see the full path.”
“To trust God is to step forward when the outcome is unknown, confident that He is able.”
“Impossible tasks become possible when faith and trust are united.”
“Trust is the courage to act on God’s Word, even when the circumstances shout ‘impossible.’”
“The more you trust God, the more courage He imparts for the task at hand.”
“Trust is resting the whole weight of your life upon the faithfulness of God.”
“Trust is faith in action.”
“Those who trust God never lose — they only learn, grow, and overcome.”
Trust has no element of doubt - a little doubt negates the whole trust
Half trust is no trust
A person might debate as to whether he trusts another person fully or not.
A decision of full trust might be put off for a period of time, but eventually the decision is made one way or the other.
When it comes to the promises of God, “conditional” trust is no trust at all.
If you still lean on yourself, you are not truly trusting God.
Trust that keeps a backup plan is not trust — it is hesitation.
2. Conditional Trust Is Disguised Unbelief
Trusting God only if things work out your way is not faith — it is negotiation.
Faith does not set terms for God.
3. God’s Promises Require Full Confidence
Every promise of God demands whole-hearted reliance.
Half-trust produces no results.
4. Partial Trust Produces Spiritual Instability
A divided heart can never enjoy settled peace.
You cannot walk steadily with one foot on God’s promise and one foot on human security.
5. Application:
Remove the “if” from your faith
Tear up your backup plans
Stand firmly on God’s Word
Obey even when you don’t understand
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. James 1:6–7
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
“Partial trust is still unbelief.”
“When your trust is conditional, your faith is powerless.”
“Half-hearted faith produces half-hearted results.”
“God cannot fully move in a life that only partially yields.”
“Trust that depends on circumstances is no trust at all.”
“Conditional faith negotiates with God; true faith obeys Him.”
“Complete trust leaves the outcome to God.”
“Trust without reservation is faith at work.”
“Where trust is divided, God’s power is delayed.”
“Unconditional trust is the key that unlocks God’s promises.”
“Conditional trust is no trust at all; God asks for all of your heart, all of your faith, all of your surrender.”
“Faith that wavers cannot move mountains; faith that trusts completely can move heaven.”
“When it comes to the promises of God, conditional trust is no trust at all.”
1 Peter 5:8 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Our walk and work with God require determination
-Our determination would be challenged
-This is where courage is needed
-courage: Standing on God's promises that cannot fail
God promised total deliverance and victory
Each of the above has a successful remedy, as promised by God
Trust in God has brought the courage to stand until the victory has been given, for so many believers
-Also available for us today
As the world grows colder toward God, believers must grow stronger in conviction.
It takes courage to remain faithful in a faithless age.
2. Courage Is Required in Everyday Christian Living:
Most Christian battles are not fought on public platforms, but in private choices and daily decisions.
3. Courage Means Acting on God’s Word, Not on Fear:
Courage is not the absence of fear, but obedience in spite of it.
4. Courage Is Necessary Because the Enemy Is Real:
The Christian life is a battlefield, not a playground.
Standing for Christ requires constant alertness and moral courage.
5. Everyday Situations That Require Courage:
Refusing to compromise at work or school
Maintaining purity in a corrupt culture
Praying publicly when mocked
Choosing obedience when it costs you something
6. God Honors Those Who Stand Firm:
Heaven notices every courageous stand.
“Courage is not only for the battlefield; it is for the boardroom, the classroom, and the kitchen table.”
“Most Christian battles are fought in ordinary moments, not extraordinary events.”
“It takes courage to pray when no one else does, to speak truth when silence is easier, and to obey when others mock.”
“The greatest test of faith is obedience when no one is watching.”
“Every day, life calls for a stand; every day, courage must rise.”
“Standing for Christ is a daily decision, not a once-in-a-lifetime act.”
“It may not be a lion’s den, a giant, or an angry king — but the stakes are real.”
“Your workplace, family, and neighborhood are the modern arenas for courage.”
“Everyday circumstances will demand courage; the measure of our faith is whether we answer the call.”
“Stand firm for Christ in small things, and God will prepare you for greater battles.”
“Stand for Christ — and Christ will stand with you.”
The seed of God’s Word, love and trust are planted at Salvation
-We have the responsibility of making these grow
Sin is a deterrence to spiritual victory - avoid it
Grow in grace and knowledge of God (Prayer, Word, Obedience, Service)
God-given victory in a test or trial will give greater courage to face the next trial, but a person needs to be willing and obedient to do or face whatever God allows.
Condemnation for sin will rob a person of spiritual courage
The disciples felt the most courageous when Jesus Christ was close to them
-We have His promise today: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8).
Inner confidence produces outward boldness.
A troubled heart weakens courage; a clean heart strengthens it.
2. Courage Is Strengthened by Dealing Honestly with Sin
Unconfessed sin drains spiritual boldness.
Repentance restores confidence.
Forgiveness restores courage.
3. Courage Increases as We Draw Near to God
Proximity to God produces spiritual fearlessness.
The closer we walk with God, the bolder we become.
4. Courage Is a Result of Fellowship, Not Self-Effort
Courage does not come from personality — it comes from presence.
When God is near, fear must step aside.
5. Courage Grows Through Obedient Living
Obedience builds spiritual backbone.
Righteous living creates fearless living.
6. Application:
Keep your heart clean
Walk in obedience
Respond quickly to conviction
Spend time in prayer and God’s Word
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
1 John 3:20-21 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
“A clean heart makes a courageous believer.”
“Inner peace produces outward boldness.”
“Unconfessed sin weakens courage; repentance strengthens it.”
“Courage is faith unburdened by guilt.”
“Proximity to God transforms fear into boldness.”
“The more we abide in God, the less the enemy can intimidate us.”
“God’s presence is the source of supernatural courage.”
“Faith strengthens courage; fear weakens it.”
“Trusting God fully gives boldness for impossible tasks.”
“Obedience builds spiritual backbone.”
“Every act of obedience, however small, strengthens the heart for greater courage.”
“Faithful steps produce fearless living.”
“Courage grows when we do what God commands, even when it’s difficult.”
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the practice of trusting God daily.”
“Boldness is developed in ordinary faithfulness.”
“Small acts of faith prepare the heart for great acts of courage.”
“The boldest believers are those who walk closest with God, live cleanly before Him, and obey Him consistently.”
“Courage is cultivated in the heart that trusts, obeys, and draws near to God.”
‐ In order to win the spiritual warfare God often encourages His own
‐ If we follow Jesus and exercise faith and willing obedience, great
‐ The forces of the enemy are always around to resist and withstand
‐ We must return the glory of all our accomplishments to God
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