The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” (Judges 7:2)
Over 30,000 soldiers prepare for battle, led by Gideon. But then the Lord intervenes. He knows the people. He knows that they will be quick to attribute the victory to their own credit. This happens often: when people are in need, they cry out to God for help. But then when the situation improves, they claim to have solved their problems themselves. God wants to prevent that this time. He tells all the men who are afraid to fight to go home. That’s already about two-thirds of the army. Then He Himself further selects who will actually join the fight. Only 300 men remain! If Gideon manages to win with such a small group, it is clearly due to God’s intervention.
This history reminds me of Ephesians 2:8-9, which emphasizes that we do not owe our eternal salvation to ourselves, but only to God’s grace. “It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” For in this too, we are all too quick to think that we, ourselves, have earned our salvation. Then we give ourselves the glory instead of God.
Does it ever happen to you that in hindsight you think you’ve provided your own solution and forget about God’s help? How could you avoid that?