The Lord told Gideon that there were too many people with him to go to war against the Midianites and the peoples of the confederate nations. Most of them would hinder him rather than provide the necessary assistance, because the fearful, cowardly, and inattentive were not fit for battle. They would have to stay out of the battles that would end Midianite oppression.

Gideon and his soldiers were camped at Megiddo, near the spring of Harobe, where much water flowed from northern Israel. There, he had to be attentive to God's instructions to leave out those who were unqualified for combat. The effective strategy, planned by Heaven, would give him the success he desired. Gideon waited for further cuts in his troops—probably hoping that it would not be as large as the first, when 32,000 soldiers were reduced to 10,000. And now, how many would he be left with?

Gideon had to pay close attention to the Lord's instruction, in which each Israelite would be tested to see whether or not he would join him in the fight. That man who had a quiet life, planting and harvesting wheat and other grains, would present the ten thousand with a task he had never imagined: they would have to go to the waters, which symbolize the Word of God and which everyone needs so much.

Today, it is necessary to take those who aspire to be workers to the waters, for in them God will test them. When someone fears the Word of the Lord, the Bible, they are likely to be approved. However, every care must be taken not to make mistakes when the Most High shows something in the Scriptures. Those who do not respect them do not know how to use them in the face of temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:1-10).

In life, we face challenging situations, as Jesus warned: These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16.33). In these troubles, today's Gideons must observe their future leaders carefully. If they do not immediately seek the help promised by Christ, they will certainly be disqualified from acting in His holy Name. Observe and pray about this!

Every leader needs to seek guidance from the Most High regarding each person who will work alongside them, so that they are not someone who will cause problems. The same applies to a young man who always seeks out a certain girl to talk to and date, and vice versa. Certainly, better than this friendship is the fact that both are interested in God's work, seeking to do His will, for they will be faithful servants, instruments of Heaven.

Keep your eyes and ears open. God usually reveals to the leader's heart how to proceed, as He did with Gideon: ‘This one shall go with you,’ the same shall go with you; and of whomever I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ the same shall not go.”  (Judge 7.4b). Never agree to take with you anyone whom God has not shown you. Forget criteria such as sympathy, friendship, or kinship. If you walk in the divine direction, you will never fall into error.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares