Judges 6:34

But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezites were called out to follow him.

God had called Gideon to save Israel from the enemy. But even after the incident with Baal, he was still fearful.  He told God that if indeed God wanted him to do this, he would lay out a fleece of wool on the threshing floor [the very place that he had previously been hiding]. If the fleece was wet with dew and the ground dry, it would mean God would save Israel by his hand. When Gideon checked the next morning, he was able to wring water out of the fleece. Surely, this gave Gideon reassurance, but no.  He asked God once again to let the fleece be dry with the ground wet. The next morning the fleece was dry, and the ground was wet. God wanted to use Gideon to save Israel!

Gideon went to the spring of Harod where his men were camped. Here, the Lord directed him to allow all those who were fearful to go home [interesting, since Gideon was fearful himself] since there were too many men there for Lord to use. He did not want them to think that their salvation came at their own hand but from the hand of God.  Twenty-Two thousand men returned home. But still too many men! So God commanded him take the remaining men to the brook and watch them drink. Those who lapped like a dog got to stay, but now there were only 300 men. That same night Gideon and his 300 mean went down to the enemy camp because God told him the victory would be his, yet once again God made provision for his fear. Gideon could take Purah his servant with him. So did he take his servant? Yes!! What a strong hold fear has on a person!

The camp was filled with the enemy and their provisions. As he entered the camp, he heard a man telling a dream to his comrade. He had dreamed that a cake of barley tumbled into the camp and struck down a tent completely flat. The comrade told him that this would be Gideon and that God had given the Midianites and their camp into his hand. As soon as Gideon heard this, he worshiped and returned for his 300 men. He divided them into 3 companies and put trumpets and empty jars with torches into their hands. They were to look at Gideon and follow his lead yelling, For the Lord and for Gideon. Sure enough, they blew the trumpets, smashed the jars, and yelled. The enemy army fled in fear and ran, but only to be pursued by Gideon's men. God had won the victory, and He had used fearful Gideon to lead the charge. If God calls, He always enables. How kind God was to Gideon! He must have understood  the power of fear as He worked so gently with him. God's purpose was to show His great power and what better way than through such a fearful man!

Father,

Give me Your courage to speak out and follow Your lead no matter how big the enemy.

In Jesus name,

Amen