More than Able - Week 6 - Brokenness That God Can Use

Let’s recap the story of Gideon as we look into our takeaways from the Midnight Showdown. In the Book of Judges, the story of Gideon and the Midianites unfolds during a time of Israelite oppression by the Midianites. God chooses Gideon as the leader to deliver His people from their dire situation. Initially, Gideon assembles a sizable army of 32,000 men, believing that numerical strength is the key to victory. However, God intervenes, stating that the army is too large, so that Israel won't take credit for the victory. This highlights God's counterintuitive ways that challenge human understanding.

The story takes a pivotal turn when Gideon receives divine instructions regarding the use of clay jars. Gideon's army, reduced to 300 men, is given trumpets and empty clay jars, each containing a torch. They are told to surround the Midianite camp, break the jars, and reveal the torches while shouting, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon." This strategy, rooted in God's guidance, highlights that God's strength transcends human might and that obedience to His unconventional plans is key to achieving victory. The use of clay jars symbolizes the Holy Spirit's presence within human fragility, and the breaking of the jars represents the Holy Spirit's power illuminating our weaknesses. This story emphasizes the idea that God's strength is made perfect in human weakness, and that He can work miracles through obedient vessels.

It's at this point in the narrative that Gideon receives further instructions from God regarding the use of clay jars. In Judges 7:16-20, we see how God orchestrates a the Midnight Showdown, a unique and unexpected strategy for victory. Gideon divides his 300 men into three companies and gives each of them a trumpet and an empty clay jar with a torch inside. They were to approach the Midianite camp during the night and surround it, positioning themselves on the outskirts. Then, at Gideon's signal, they were to blow their trumpets, break their clay jars, and reveal the torches, while shouting, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!"

The use of torches inside the clay jars takes on a profound spiritual significance. The torches symbolize the Holy Spirit's presence within the fragile vessels of human beings. Just as the clay jars were ordinary and easily breakable, our humanity is frail and imperfect. However, it is within this very fragility that the Holy Spirit resides, providing guidance, illumination, and empowerment.
The breaking of the jars and the sudden illumination of the torches represent the manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power within us. It's a reminder that, when we yield ourselves to God's purpose and guidance, the Holy Spirit can shine through our weaknesses, just as the torches pierced the darkness of that night. In doing so, we can confound the forces of darkness, just as the Midianites were confounded, and bring about remarkable victory.

In the context of Gideon's instructions regarding the clay jars and the torches, we see another layer of the story's lesson. It's a vivid illustration of how, when we obey God's unconventional and counterintuitive guidance, the Holy Spirit can use our seemingly weak and insignificant vessels to reveal the light of God's truth, confound our spiritual adversaries, and bring about extraordinary victory. The clay jars with torches within them remind us that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, and His Spirit can work miracles through our lives, regardless of our limitations.
This story challenges us to reflect on our own lives. How often do we underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit residing within us, dwelling in our fragile humanity? How frequently do we overlook the extraordinary potential that God has placed within us, even when we feel ordinary and weak? The story of Gideon in Judges 7 encourages us to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, even when it seems unconventional, and to have faith that the Spirit can use us as vessels of God's divine power. It reminds us that in the most challenging circumstances, we can find our true strength and victory by saying, "The Lord caused."

Here are three practical takeaways from the Midnight Showdown in Gideon’s story

1. Embrace Divine Guidance, Even When It Seems Unconventional
   The story of Gideon teaches us that God's ways are often counterintuitive to human thinking. Instead of relying solely on our human wisdom and resources, we should be open to unconventional guidance from God. Sometimes, the path to victory may involve strategies that seem weak or unusual to us. Therefore, it's crucial to seek God's direction and be willing to step out of our comfort zones when following His guidance.

2. Recognize the Holy Spirit's Power Within You (2 Corinthians 4:7)
   The symbolism of the clay jars with torches representing the Holy Spirit's presence within our frail humanity is a powerful reminder. We, as individuals, have access to the divine power of the Holy Spirit residing within us. This should encourage us to tap into the guidance, wisdom, and strength that the Holy Spirit offers. As believers, we should acknowledge that our weaknesses can be vessels through which God's strength and light shine.

3. Trust God's Timing and Provision (Isaiah 40:31)
   Gideon's story underscores the importance of trusting in God's timing and provision. Even when circumstances seem dire, and the odds appear insurmountable, we should trust that God's plan will unfold in His perfect timing. Gideon's victory wasn't a result of his own might but of God's intervention. Likewise, we should rely on God's provision in our lives, knowing that He can work miracles even in the most challenging situations.

As we conclude our journey through the inspiring story of Gideon and the Midnight Showdown, it's important to reflect on the profound lessons we've uncovered. Gideon's obedience to God's unconventional guidance, the symbolism of the clay jars with torches, and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power within human fragility all serve as reminders of the remarkable potential that resides within us.

This story challenges us to recognize the extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within our seemingly ordinary and fragile humanity. It encourages us to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, even when it seems unconventional, and to have faith that the Spirit can use us as vessels of God's divine power. Just as Gideon's 300 men shattered their clay jars and illuminated the darkness, we too can confound the forces of darkness and achieve victory in our own lives.
So, as we face our own challenges and uncertainties, may we remember the lessons from the Midnight Showdown, knowing that the Lord can cause extraordinary victories through our obedience, our weaknesses can be vessels for His strength, and His guidance can lead us to triumph. In the most challenging circumstances, we can find our true strength and victory by saying, "The Lord caused."

~Ps. Klen Kuruvilla