“That same night the Lord said to him, ‘Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.’” (Judges 7:9-11)
Gideon’s little army has set up camp. The enemy is sleeping a short distance away. It is time to launch the attack. God assures Gideon again, “Arise, descend to the camp, for I have given it into your hand.” But the Lord also knows how afraid and doubtful Gideon is. Without Gideon having to ask, God offers him additional encouragement. If he doesn’t dare to attack, he and his servant may sneak quietly into the enemy camp. Something will happen there that will give him the courage he needs.
Gideon does indeed go out. Not with his army, but only with his servant. When they are very close to the enemy camp, they hear a soldier tell what he dreamed. His companion interprets that dream as follows: “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.”
So even the enemy is convinced that Gideon’s small army will be victorious. That is the final push Gideon needs to dare to take action.
God knew how afraid Gideon was. Yet He did not choose another leader, but He gave Gideon the courage he needed. Could that still be the case today when God gives someone a task? Which role does courage play in your life?