Today you should read: Judges 7
This chapter contains the familiar story of Gideon. He is the one who gathered 300 men to fight against a great many Amalekites and Midianites. It’s a classic story of the underdog being victorious and good overcoming evil. This battle is an Appalachian State University vs. Michigan football game. It’s a karate fight featuring Daniel LaRusso vs. Johnny Lawrence, the leader of the Cobra Kai gang (surely you’ve seen “The Karate Kid”). It’s a Joshua and the Israelites vs. Jericho situation.
Appalachian State had no chance of beating Michigan, but they did. Daniel wasn’t supposed to whip-up on ole Johnny Lawrence, but he surely did and ended up with the girl as well. Joshua faced sure defeat against Jericho, but we all know the outcome of that “battle.” Gideon and his 300 men seemed to be up against insurmountable odds, but this chapter proved Gideon victorious.
I believe verses 2 and 4 of this chapter are key verses of this whole story about Gideon. The summary of those two verses goes something like this: “There are too many people with you, Gideon. Israel will think they won this battle on their own out of their own strength and power. Therefore, let’s cut the number of people down to 300. Then, there will be no doubt Who will get the glory once the battle is won.”
I’m reminded today that God is going to do what brings Him the most glory. If that means allowing me, you, our church, or whoever to face seemingly insurmountable odds in order to show that He is all-powerful, completely faithful, utterly dependable, and all-knowing, then that’s what He will allow to happen. God isn’t interested in my abilities to lead a church or lead my family. He isn’t interested in my ability to share my faith and minister to others. He isn’t interested in my ability to fight through a tough situation. He isn’t interested in my ability to maneuver through the up and downs of life. He’s not interested in your abilities either. He’s interested in HIS ability to lead me through EVERY aspect of my life so that HE gets ALL the glory. We have the privilege of being His “glory-bringing” vessels.
My prayer today is that God will do whatever He wants in order to bring Himself the most glory. In my life, in His church, and in all we do, may God pull off the seemingly insurmountable, so that He receives all the glory.
Posted by: Rich Duffield
JumpstartCPC.com 
Hmmm, becoming a “glory-bringing” vessel sure takes the pressure off. It’s not about me (or us)… it’s about HIM and Him alone. He has the plan, he does the work, He gets the glory. It’s just that simple! Thanks, Rich and blessings, CPC!