Why God Reduces What You Rely On | Judges 7:1-3

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Our text today is Judges 7:1–3.

Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.' Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.'" Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. — Judges 7:1-3

So the Israelite army wakes up early, camped at the spring of Harod. Just across the valley, Midian's massive force waits. Every soldier counts — at least, that's what Gideon must have thought. But God sees the situation differently than Gideon does.

He tells Gideon, "You have too many men." Too many? Against an army so large it can't be counted? Yes. God knows the danger isn't the size of the enemy — it's the pride in Israel's heart. If they win with a big enough army, they'll think they did it themselves.

So God orders a cut. Anyone who is afraid can leave. And just like that, 22,000 soldiers pack up and head home. Gideon is left with less than a third of what he started with. The odds just got worse — and exactly how God wanted them.

God will sometimes strip away the resources, people, or security you thought you needed — not to punish you, but to purify your faith.

When he reduces what you rely on, it's because he wants you to rely on him. It is uncomfortable. It feels unsafe. But if our confidence rests in our numbers, connections, or abilities, then our faith isn't in God — it's in ourselves. So has God been reducing your resources lately?

When God reduces our resources, he is often removing our false sense of control that we've been clinging to. Sometimes we don't even know we are clinging to it, so we resist the reduction. But fewer options force deeper faith. Less human advantage means more room for divine intervention.

The question is, when God starts reducing your "resources," will you see it as a setback… or as the setup for him to show his power?

ASK THIS:
Where has God been cutting back your resources or support lately?
How could that reduction be preparing you to trust Him more?
What false securities might He be removing from your life?
Are you willing to face a harder battle if it means God gets the glory?
DO THIS:
Identify one area where you’ve been depending on your own strength. Release it to God today and pray for faith to trust him with the outcome.

PRAY THIS:
Father, when You take away what I think I need, help me see it as Your way of drawing me closer to You. Strip away my pride and replace it with deeper trust in Your power. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
"Strip It All Away."