In the Bible, there are many guidelines about going down into the waters. For example, after repenting of our sins and believing in the Gospel, we must go down into the waters to be baptized. Some people evade baptism as if it were something bad, but it’s the opposite, the Word says: He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  (Mark 16.16). Watch and pray!

         As the Most High had commanded, Gideon made the people go down into the water. In this particular case, it was to test whether those men who were willing to go with him into battle against the Midianites were prepared or not. When they were in the water, the Lord would show Gideon who was fit to fight. God, the Man of War, would show him!

         Everyone would drink from the water of the trembling spring (Harod). Those who lapped it up like dogs were to be placed on one side; those who bent down to drink it were to be placed on the other side. I think that at first Gideon was pleased, because on one side were the 9,700 men who bent down to drink water. He did not understand that test, but one group would go to war and the other would not. The Lord would give the answer!

         The divine choice fell on those who lapped up the water like dogs, which was equivalent to bringing the water to their mouths with their hands (Judges 7:6). This means that even though they were thirsty, they remained vigilant. With the touch of the Lord, these men acted differently from most and were approved. Likewise, in times of war, the Most High would touch them, and their reaction would surprise the enemy, because it was something impossible for anyone who was not guided by God Himself.

         Those who lapped up the water like dogs showed that they could be directed by the Lord to do everything that ordinary men would not do. Such a person can decide a war. The inattentive do not understand how to act in abnormal situations. Those guided by the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, do whatever is necessary, for they allow themselves to be used to fulfill God's plan. In war, we do what is necessary, as long as the Almighty directs us.

         David was one of those special men, for he was fearless. His fearlessness led him to enter the midst of the squadron and put an end to his enemies. For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. (Psalm 18.29). No troop was a match for the man who had the Lord as his Shield and his Fortress. David was fearless in his conduct in war, and Gideon's 300 men were also courageous, which is why they achieved complete victory.

         Every Christian should be aware that in the Lord's battles, it is more important to listen to God than to simply go after enemies to destroy them. The most important moments for the warrior and king of Israel were when he was in battle. With the Lord by his side, he returned home unscathed. God was his Shield!

In Christ, with love,

          R. R. Soares