God loves impossible situations! When we (as His children) are faced with overwhelming circumstances—for which we have no natural ability to overcome—He delights in showing Himself strong on our behalf.
The Real “300”
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” – Ephesians 3:20 (emphasis added)
Some of you may have seen the 2006 film entitled 300. It tells the story of a Spartan army of only 300 men who held off a Persian army of over 300,000 troops. Although it’s meant for entertainment, history tells us that the Spartans had allies who helped in that battle, and their total numbers were actually around 1,400.
However, the Bible tells of a story where there truly was an army of only 300 men who were overwhelmingly outnumbered. In fact, the Bible states that the enemy Midianite army was “lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude.” Not only were they outnumbered, but the opposition had such high numbers that they couldn’t even be counted. Talk about being underdogs! (Read Judges chapters 6-7.)
Most action-adventure movies feature a large-muscled hero, strong, fit and skilled who will face overwhelming odds to come out victorious on the other side. However, Gideon was not the poster-child for a leader of armies! When the Lord called Gideon to lead his people, he was threshing wheat in a winepress in fear, to hide it from the Midianite army. Although he was frightened, the Angel of the Lord called him a “mighty man of valor”!
Fact vs. Truth
The Lord told him, ““Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
Yet Gideon replied, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
How many times do we respond to the Word of God with this same attitude of weakness and inadequacy? Many times we look at what our senses have told us about our situations and the limitations of our own natural abilities.
Look again at what the Lord told Gideon: “Go in this might of yours…” Was it a fact that Gideon was the least in his father’s house? Probably so! However, the truth is what the Lord has said about us and our circumstances! The Lord saw Gideon differently than Gideon saw himself. Gideon saw himself as weak, but God saw him as full of might and valor! Ephesians 3:20 says that He is able to do amazing things, according to the power that works in us!
God Loves Impossible Situations!
As Gideon began with 32,000 troops, still grossly outnumbered, God whittled those numbers down. He said, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.” First, He told Gideon to send home all of the troops who were afraid. Second, He sent home all the men who drank water a certain way. This left Gideon only 300 men with which to fight this deadly army!
Even though it already looked impossible, the Lord wanted it even more overwhelming!
Why? Because when the battle was over—and the tiny little army of only 300 men emerged victorious—the God of Israel received all the glory for it. God is not overwhelmed by impossible situations—He loves to show Himself through them! Impossible circumstances simply give Him the opportunity to show the world how absolutely amazing He is!
The dictionary defines impossible as:
- not possible; unable to be, exist, happen, etc.
- unable to be done, performed, effected, etc.: an impossible assignment.
- incapable of being true, as a rumor.
- not to be done, endured, etc., with any degree of reason or propriety: an impossible situation.
- utterly impracticable: an impossible plan.
- hopelessly unsuitable, difficult, or objectionable.
If you ever begin to feel overwhelmed by a seemingly impossible situation, don’t be afraid. First of all, He doesn’t see those things as impossible at all! He has already provided the answer. Second, even if you feel ill equipped for the fight ahead, He sees you as fully equipped for every challenge because He has equipped you! Third, remember that He, “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us!” (Ephesians 3:20). Remain in peace and don’t forget that you serve the God of the impossible!
In fact, the worse a circumstance may appear, the greater the opportunity God has to bring about an amazing miracle that will give Him all the glory!
Live Free From Fear
God created you to live a life free from bondage to fear! In Ashley and Carlie’s series entitled Fearless, you’ll learn that as you make choices—large or small—fear cannot hinder you from following the Lord’s direction.
Now is the time to abandon a life of worry, anxiety and fear, and launch into a life of faith, boldness and power! The Fearless USB contains 8 video and audio lessons. This teaching is also available as an MP3 download.