God Likes to Be Outnumbered

God Likes to Be Outnumbered The message focuses on the idea that God often chooses to work when the odds are stacked against His people, so that when victory comes, it is clear that it was His doing, not their own. Gideon’s Army God told Gideon he had too many men (32,000) to fight the Midianites, lest Israel take credit for the victory. God instructed Gideon to allow those who were fearful to leave, resulting in 22,000 departing, leaving 10,000. God further reduced the number by having them drink water from a river, selecting only the 300 who lapped the water like dogs. The 300 were equipped with trumpets and pitchers with torches inside. They surrounded the Midianite camp and, at a signal, broke the pitchers, revealed the torches, blew the trumpets, and shouted, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” God caused the Midianites to turn on each other, and they were defeated. Pride and God’s Glory God likes to be outnumbered because when He wins the battle, He doesn’t want people taking credit for it. Pride can lead people to believe they are capable and strong on their own. God ensures that when victory comes, it is clear that it was His doing, leading to proper worship and praise. Examples of God Being Outnumbered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Nebuchadnezzar built a statue and commanded everyone to worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow. Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a fiery furnace. The king saw four figures in the furnace, the fourth resembling the Son of God. They emerged unharmed, demonstrating God’s presence and protection. Noah: Eight souls (Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives) worked on the ark for 120 years. They were against an entire race of people. God sent the flood, and only those on the ark survived. Moses: Moses confronted Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. He faced the entire Egyptian army. He led the Israelites to the Red Sea, where God parted the waters, allowing them to cross safely and drowning the pursuing Egyptian army. Jonathan: Jonathan and his armor bearer went to fight the Philistines. Jonathan told his armor bearer that there is no restraint to God to save whether by few or many. They climbed a cliff and attacked a Philistine outpost, killing 20 men. Samson: The Israelites bound Samson with new cords and handed him over to the Philistines. Samson broke free and killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. David: David, a young shepherd, volunteered to fight Goliath. He went into the valley with five stones and a slingshot. He struck Goliath with a stone, killing him, and then cut off his head with Goliath’s own sword. Hezekiah: Sennacherib and the Assyrian army threatened Jerusalem. Hezekiah prayed to God, laying Sennacherib’s threatening letter before Him. God sent an angel who killed 186,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night. Asa: Zerah the Ethiopian came against Asa with an army of a million men and 300 chariots. Asa prayed to God for help, acknowledging that it is nothing for God to help, whether with many or with those who have no power. God smote the Ethiopians, and they fled. Romans 8:31-39 If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword? In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature. Application Encouragement to have faith and trust in God, regardless of the circumstances. Even when feeling outnumbered, outmanned, or outgunned, God is always greater and can deliver. The importance of recognizing God’s hand in victories and giving Him the glory. The reminder that God is always with His people and will fight their battles.