It happens in every professional football game. Someone will make a spectacular play, or score a touchdown, and will stand with arms held high welcoming the attention and accolades of all those watching. It has gotten to the point where the celebrations are choreographed before the game. The player is having a little fun, but is also seeking everyone’s attention. What they forget to acknowledge is the contributions of everyone who got them there. The coaches called the right play, the frontline blocked, and the quarterback got them the ball. Many people and events enabled the dramatic result.
In the book of Judges in the Bible, God calls Gideon to fight the great Midianite army on behalf of the Israelites. When he was called by God, Gideon was hiding out from the very same army. To say the least, Gideon was not eager to take on this fight. He only agreed after God promised to fight for him. Even then, Gideon hedged his bets by gathering an army of thirty thousand warriors. God was not pleased. Judges 7:2 says, “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.'”
God understands that we will tend to take credit for any good things that we do, even when we couldn’t possibly have done it by ourselves. God pared the Israelite army down to 300 warriors. He brought confusion into the Midianite army so that they fought amongst themselves and killed each other. Essentially, Gideon’s army just watched the slaughter.
Whenever God calls us to do something, we must remember that we cannot try to do it in our own strength, but instead we must rely on the power of God. He will do a much greater work than we can even attempt. When victory is achieved and the work is accomplished, we must remember to give all praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father.
Reluctant Retiree 