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Jdg 7:2  GOD said to Gideon, "You have too large an army with you. I can't turn Midian 
over to them like this--they'll take all the credit, saying, 'I did it all myself,' and forget 
about me. 

	It definitely appeared to be invincible, a totally overwhelming force. Row after 
endless row of high-stepping, perfectly clad, and fully armed soldiers, along with the 
parade of planes, missiles and massive weapons of destruction formed a display of force 
that would strike fear and trepidation into the heart of any foe. This show of force alone 
would be sufficient to bring many of their conquests to their knees. Without firing a 
single shot there would be swift and unopposed victory. 
	For some reason, those who would dominate and conquer tend to have the 
greatest show of force and the largest display of their material resources. From the 
accumulation of weapons and the size of their army they gain their confidence and 
boldness to go out and possess. Their lust and desire to take what isn't theirs and rule 
where they are not welcome causes them to use their presentation of resources to 
unlawfully dominate. 
	Sometimes in the moment of greatest challenge, when the enemy is flexing his 
muscles and displaying his firepower, it seems that the only option is to surrender, to just 
give in to this obviously greater force. When our feet are standing on the wall of our God-
given right, it may look like we might as well just hand over the keys to the advancing 
force. They completely surround with numbers that seem to extend beyond the horizon, 
and there is just no way that this small little effort we are showing can present even the 
smallest amount of resistance. Even to those that might assist and bring support to our 
stand it becomes obvious that there is just no hope for such a weak and meaningless 
force. 
	In these times of a great temptation to just let the appearance of our foe bring us 
to our knees, it is most comforting and inspiring to read the story from 2 Kings 6, where 
Elisha and his servant found themselves in a similar situation. As far as the servant could 
determine, there would just be no way in the world that they would be able to 
successfully stand against this overwhelming show of force that was coming against 
them. Somehow Elisha appeared to be completely undaunted, totally in possession of his 
confidence and assurance that the only possibility was complete and total victory over 
this advancing enemy. As the servant began to express his concerns, Elisha gave a reply 
that put the apparently one-sided conflict in its true perspective:

2Ki 6:16  And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be 
with them. 
2Ki 6:17  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may 
see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the 
mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 

	While we may be in a very natural state of trembling before the enemy of our 
purpose and the destroyer of our souls, there is something taking place in a realm beyond 
our limited vision. It may seem that we are as grasshoppers before the giants in the land, 
but if only our eyes could be opened to the reality of the force that is really on our side. If 
our focus could be stayed on the One who started all of this in the first place, our faith 
and fortitude would more than remain intact and there would be more than sufficient 
strength obtained for action and bold occupation of what is rightfully ours. There would 
also never be a need to join those who would purport greatness and power by parading 
items of material and earthly significance. The weapons of our warfare have nothing to 
do with these items that will some day join all others in a rusting iron graveyard. The 
closer one gets to the heart of the Invincible One, the more access is given to the eternal 
arsenal. While Paul was stripped of ability to parade anything other than chains, he still 
had his finger on an eternal trigger, and his voice commanded an instrument of war that 
would not only carry the day, but reach through all the ages of time even to today. His 
was a force that, like Gideon's, could reach beyond the limits of time and space to the 
very hearts of those who would resist and oppose. He appeared to be alone and defeated, 
but in reality a heavenly host was gaining strength and momentum from his faithfulness 
to obediently take his place among the ranks of those who would truly follow Christ. 
	There is an arming of a warhead. There is commanding of heavenly forces. There 
is domination over large, but vulnerable foes. There is fulfillment of purpose and eternal 
significance in the embrace of the One who has conquered hell and the grave. In simply 
following Him to whatever post He directs, no matter its earthly status, there is a joining 
with forces that are "mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds". There is 
more power in the mere display of His love and the demonstration of His heart than any 
petty attempt to promote a grasp for power. May our power be activated today. May our 
eyes be opened to the reason for our security and the foundation of our peace. We are 
never alone, but are ever surrounded by a power that will never know ultimate defeat. 
May it be His glory that finds a place for display, unhindered by any constraints of our 
own.

1/31/06