When Gideon arrived, he heard a man telling a friend about a dream. He was saying, "I dreamed that a loaf of barley bread rolled into our camp and hit a tent. The tent collapsed and lay flat on the ground."

His friend replied, "It’s the sword of the Israelite, Gideon son of Joash! It can’t mean anything else! God has given him victory over Midian and our whole army!"

When Gideon heard about the man’s dream and what it meant, he fell to his knees. Then he went back to the Israelite camp and said, "Get up! The LORD is giving you victory over the Midianite army!"

Judges 7:13-15

The Midianites and their allies had invaded Israel. It was the time of the judges, and Gideon could muster only 32,000 men to fight an army as numerous as locusts. Gideon was told by God to go to the camp and listen. Gideon went and then listened to a conversation between two soldiers of a dream. When Gideon heard of the dream and what it meant he is said to have fallen down and prayed to God, knowing that God could deliver the enemy. Gideon was confident after worshipping God. He returned to camp, organized his 300 men with trumpets and lamps and routed the much superior Midianite forces who ended up killing each other.

As followers of Christ we are not battling armies, but we are at war. Spiritual foes attack us. They undermine our confidence and sap our strength. We also have to battle ourselves, meaning our fears, weaknesses, and doubts. After a while, we become discouraged.

Our God is the great Encourager. When our resolve weakens or vision fades, by His power He will give us the strength we need – even when the enemy seems more numerous than a swarm of locusts.

To trust is to triumph, for the battle is the LORD’s.

Our Daily Bread – February 5, 2003