There is a lesson for us in the story of Gideon's army. The ten thousand men who chose to follow Gideon were a small company compared with the vast and powerful army they were to meet. But the Lord would not work with them; for their trust was altogether too much in their own strength and skill. Gideon was astonished when the Lord said his army was still too large. When they came to a stream the Lord singled out the three hundred who in their haste caught up water in their hands as those through whom he would deliver Israel, while those who felt that there was time to get down on their knees to drink could return to their homes. Through this little handful of tried men the Lord wrought for his people; and their enemies, who were as grasshoppers for multitude, were utterly defeated and destroyed. Thus in a most decided manner the Lord made known to Gideon and his army that he was interested in his people and their cause. He revealed his power in their behalf, and taught them to look to him in every difficulty.

Der er en lektie for os i historien om Gidions hær. De ti tusinde mand der valgte at følge Gidion var en lille gruppe sammenlignet med den vældige og kraftfulde hær de ville møde. Men Herren kunne ikke virke med dem, for de stolede alt for meget på deres egen styrke og dygtighed. Gidion var forbavset da Herren sagde at hans hær stadig var for stor. Da de kom ned til vandet, udskilte Herren de tre hundrede mand, som skyndte sig at tage lidt vand op i deres hænder, som disse gennem hvem han ville befri Israel, medens de der følte at der var tid nok til at lægge sig på deres knæ for at drikke kunne gå tilbage til deres hjem. Gennem denne lille håndfuld af prøvede mænd virkede Herren for sit folk. Deres fjender, der var som græshopper i mængde, var fuldstændig bekæmpet og tilintetgjort. Og således på en meget afgjort måde Herren gjorde kendt for Gidion og hans hær, at han var interesseret i hans folk og deres sag, han åbenbarede hans kraft til deres gode, og lærde dem at se op til ham i enhver vanskelighed.