Wednesday in the 5th Week of Pentecost
“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” (Judges 7:2)
Pick up your Bibles today and read Judges 6, 7, and 8. It’s the story of the judge, Gideon. The Lord God of Israel sent him to drive away one of the awful enemies of His people: the Midianites. Read the way Gideon defeats the Midianites! Actually, he does next to nothing. After the Lord dismisses all but 300 men, they smash pots, raise torches, shout, and blow trumpets. The Midianites get up and slaughter themselves! All that’s left for Gideon is to chase down the leftovers and mop up.
The Lord made sure that Israel could claim no part in Midian’s defeat. It was the work of God to save the Israelites. He made sure of it.
The Lord makes sure that we are rescued too, by His own hand, not ours. Read the Gospels. See how even the closest of our Lord’s disciples fail Him, fall asleep, deny Him, betray Him, run away. Surely, you of all people in this world are not the sole exception!
If God does not rescue us, then we are not rescued. But He has, dear Christian. He has rescued us in His Son.
By Himself, our Lord took all our sins and carried them to Calvary. On a cross, He crushed the Serpent’s head, throwing him into confusion. Death is suddenly our life. Apparent defeat becomes our sure and certain victory. The sinless Son of God dies in place of sinners. Now, poor sinners have the place of God’s dear sons and daughters.
What confusion this must be for Satan and his forces. It is surely confusing to all the devil’s minions who preach long and hard about how you must still have SOMETHING, some LITTLE thing at least, to do for your salvation. Surely, they say, God could not have done it all alone!
Blow a trumpet and rejoice, dear Christian! God has given you the victory. The Sword of the Lord has conquered your foes, and it still does. That is what your Baptism does. It is what the Absolution you hear and trust accomplishes. It is what the Supper of the Lord makes sure.
Your enemy can only fall into confusion. So enjoy the spoils of the war your Lord and Savior waged and won for you.
“With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected; But for us fights the Valliant One, Whom God Himself elected.” (TLH #262, v. 2)Daily readings
Numbers 11:24-35 Romans 1:28-2:11 Matthew 18:1-9