The problem of too many

The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her,

Judges 7: 2

This post was inspired in part by a friend's BBM status 'Plenty, plenty options.' While on the surface, this could sound like a good thing, meditating on the verse above made me realise that too many can be a problem in itself. Sometimes, we limit ourselves and the flow of God through us because we feel we don't have enough but what we have is indeed enough and from Scripture I know that we serve a God who doesn't need so much anyway because in Himself He is more than enough. Having many open doors can just be as bad as having no open door because which one shall you go through? Most times I sacrifice the important for the urgent because there are so many things clamouring for time and attention, because I haven't made my main thing the main thing. Most importantly, when we are too talented, too gifted, too good we may forget that it is God who has given us the ability to do what we do. That it is His grace which is more than sufficient for our tasks.

The Love Test: From 32,000 to 10,000

....announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' " So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear....The one who fears is not made perfect in love

1st John 4:18

In this passage, there was a battle to be fought. The people had been under oppression from Midian, symbolic of a devouring spirit. Regardless of the effort they put into sowing and tending their livestock, the Midianites appeared like a swarm of locusts to devour all they had at harvest time. I reject that spirit of sowing much and reaping little in our lives in Jesus name. God was raising an army to put the enemy to shame. The same is true for this generation. God is raising an army for the end times to battle the spirit of the AntiChrist, to preach the word, to encourage the wounded. As we all know, it's not everyone who signs to join the army that is eventually given army fatigues. There are physical tests, mental tests, different hurdles that they must go through before they can call themselves a soldier. Zoe Believers, the physical and spiritual are parallel. God gave them a 'Love Test', the Word says there is no fear in love. So if I'm 'fearing' I'm not loving. 32,000 people showed up, a good number for a lot did not even show up and yet God said 'too many'. God sees our hearts, He knows those that are for Him on the inside and not just PDA (Public Displays of Affection). Father forgive me, for I must let go of fear and walk in perfect love.22,000 people left..wow that's like over 69%. Do you love God more? More than what? More than anything? We cannot be like Lot's wife and look back. Father, I pray to pass the love test

The Readiness Test: From 10,000 to 300

But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."  So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

God says, 'still too many', to put this into context the Bible says the Midianites, Amalekites and other Eastern people had joined forces against Israel. Hmm, so it wasn't a small battle. I thank God for the way He uses the 'foolish' things of this world to shame the 'wise'. Its like a team made up of 2 year olds winning the World Cup and displacing the likes of Brazil and Argentina! Many are called, few are chosen. Only 300 men were selected from 10,000 that's less than 10%! We may pass the love test but we must pass the readiness test as well. How ready are you to be used in the Kingdom, it will show by your conduct. Those who lapped with their hands to their mouths were aware of what was going on around them, the true mark of a soldier, readiness for whatever might come your way! Halleluyah! Can you be counted on? In your family, in your church? If there's work to be done and it needs to be done well, do people think of you or are you automatically disqualified (Ouch!!). There is work to be done and we must be ready. Its not the strength of the numbers but that everyone if functioning in their unction.Small groups are making big waves around the world. 'What you have is enough' as long as God is in it.

At the end of the day, the glory belongs to God and not me. God's military strategy na wa, outnumbered, 'outexperienced' and your weapon is torchlight in your left hand and trumpet in your right hand. lol! I too may have asked questions. God is looking for people of faith, if it was me I'd be like 'men we need some AK-47's right here. But the battle was won and God took the glory because the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God for the pulling down of stronghold. God doesn't need a big army, just a ready one. Will you be a part of His army?

Father, forgive me for opening so many doors, looking for 'plenty, plenty options'. I repent for the times I failed the love test and the readiness test. I submit myself to your will. I repent of an oloju kokoro spirit that desires what others have and despises the gift I have been anointed with. Dear Lord, I will stir it up and use it all to your glory in Jesus name. Amen.