““But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The LORD said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.””

Judges 6:15-16 NLT

A big crowd, huge followers, prosperity, and a valiant army may display greatness in the eyes of the world. The world often measures greatness by numbers, strength, influence, and power. But when worldly greatness rises against the people of God to plunder, oppress, shame, and humiliate them, God can use the least to fight against the greatest and reveal His glory.

The Bible captures an incident where the enemies of Israel were so large in number that they were compared to locusts. They overpowered the people of God to such an extent that the Israelites hid themselves in caves, mountains, and strongholds to escape from them.

Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the enemies would come against them, plundering their produce, ruining their livestock, stripping the land, and leaving it devastated. The might and power of the enemy brought Israel to a very low state.

But thank God for His faithfulness and His promises to His people! When they cried out to God for help, He heard their cry and answered them in His mighty power.

God chose Gideon, a man who said that his clan was the weakest in Manasseh and that he was the least in his father’s house. God then reduced Gideon’s army to just 300 men. With this small army, God defeated a mighty enemy and revealed His greatness.

The same great army that had once intimidated and oppressed Israel fled from the battlefield. God used Gideon and the small army He had handpicked to chase away an enemy that once appeared impossible to defeat.

The Word of God comes as a great encouragement to everyone who feels intimidated by the power, influence, strength, or greatness of this world.

There is a God in heaven who hears the cries of His people and sees every tear.

When you feel outnumbered, overlooked, weak, or powerless, remember that God does not need great numbers to bring a great victory. He can answer from His throne to deliver you, bless you, and honor you right in the middle of your battlefield.

God can use your humble state to reveal His greatness.

When you feel like the least, God is still with you. What looks small in your hands can become mighty in His hands. Do not be intimidated by the greatness of what stands before you. Your God is greater than the battle in front of you.

The God who was with Gideon is with you in your least, and through His strength, even the mighty can fall before you as one man.

Prayer:

Lord, when I feel small, weak, or intimidated by what stands before me, help me to remember that You are greater than every battle. Be with me in my least and use my humble state to reveal Your greatness. Help me to trust Your strength and Your presence more than what I see before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.