Man loses a lot when he fails to pay attention to the Lord. Being God, He will use those who are faithful to Him in everything. There are individuals who have no regard for the Most High, thinking that His prohibitions occur because He does not want their happiness. In fact, they protect them from the action of Hell, which seeks to separate them from God and make them prisoners in its evil clutches. Therefore, it is not good to deviate from what the heavenly Father commands.

         There are preachers who cause a little confusion regarding those chosen to stand with Gideon in the fight against the Midianites. These pastors believe that it was those who drank the water from the fountain of trembling. However, it was the 300 men who licked it like dogs. That was the number of those who were approved. Those who do not allow themselves to be touched by the direct action of the Holy Spirit will miss the opportunity to act according to the Lord's counsel and, thus, will not be able to carry out the divine work or follow the direction of Heaven.

         See what happened to the northern kingdom, founded by Jeroboam, according to God's revelation delivered by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-38). In a short time, Jeroboam made two golden calves and challenged the Most High. He was not successful in his reign because, by giving way to sin, he separated himself from the Lord. Nothing is sadder than seeing people acting as the devil likes, disregarding biblical boundaries to achieve their goals.

         Why do some people start well and end badly? Because they do not fear the Lord and do not submit to His commandments. They will go to eternal perdition with the devil to whom they submitted. When they realize the seriousness of their mistake, they will figure that there is no way to redeem themselves and attain forgiveness. May everyone be wise and turn to God now! If they do not repent while they are here on Earth, they will never be forgiven in the future. Believe and live!

         The Spirit of God worked in the 300 men at the Harod spring, for they were receptive to the divine touch, acting prudently. What God does enables us to react under His influence, leading us to pay attention to His instructions. There is no way that the Almighty can fail in any of the works He has planned and executed. We are God's best, but some, out of rebellion, choose to be the worst in everything!

         The men who bent down to drink water were unable to participate in the war. The sadness of seeing Israel taken over by enemies had aroused in them the desire to fight, but they were not fit for it; they would not succeed. Stand firm in what God commands you in His Word, and you will be successful in this life and in eternal life. Stand firm in the Lord!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares.