[Anonim]

{taken from a Charles Spurgeon devotional 9/20/10}

“A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” – Judges 7:20

Gideon and his small army of just 300 men were about to go to battle against the mighty (and far more numerous) Midianites. Gideon ordered his men to do two things: 1] covering up a torch with an earthen jar, he ordered them, at the appointed signal, to break their jars and let the light shine; and 2] sound with a loud trumpet blast “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”. This is precisely what all Christians today must do as well.

First, you must shine. Break the jar which conceals your light, throw aside the bushel that has been hiding your candle, and shine. Let your light shine before men; let your good works be such that when people look at you, they will know without a doubt that you have been with Jesus.

Then, there must be the sound – the blasting of the trumpet. Proclaim Christ crucified; take the gospel message to those that have not heard it, carry it to their door, put it in their way, blow the trumpet right against their ears.

Note that Gideon’s battle cry is twofold – it is both the sword of the Lord and of Gideon. It is God’s work, and He must carry it out. But we are also not to be idle. If we cry only “the sword of the Lord” we are guilty of idleness; if we cry only “the sword of Gideon” we are guilty of relying on only the flesh. No, there must be a blending of the two in practical harmony; we can do nothing by ourselves, but we can do everything by the help of our God.

“Let us therefore be determined to go out in His Name and serve with our flaming torch of holy example, with our trumpet tones of earnest declaration and testimony. And God will be with us, and Midian shall be put to confusion, and the Lord of hosts shall reign forever and ever.”

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