The Missed Opportunity to Grow in Faith

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Judges 7:3 “Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.”

In the prior verses, we can read that the original soldiers of Gideon is about 32,000 men. But all those who were really too fearful to fight were allowed to go home. So from 32,000, it was down to 10,000 men. 22,000 of them (over two-thirds!) said “thanks, but I’m out of here!” This was in accordance with the command given through Moses in Deut. 20:1-8. Where those that were fearful, or those that were engaged but not yet married, could go home if they liked.

Notice that there is no condemnation for those that are too fearful to fight. In our age, God still looks for people He can use. But at times, fear still prevents us from being used. God does not condemn us over this as He knows where we are at, but it is a missed opportunity to see God’s move and to grow in our faith! 22,000 of Gideon’s men went home. There wasn’t a word said against them. But what a testimony they missed out on which only the final 300 would have had. So don’t let fear rule you that you miss seeing how God would like to move