JUST LISTEN
Today's reading:  Judges 7-11

"That night the Lord said, Get up!  God down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over your servant Purah.  Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged.  Then you will be eager to attack."  Judges 7:9-11 NLT

I can imagine it's the middle of the night.

I can hear in my mind what Gideon has been telling God since about the time the campfires had died down and the soldiers had begun snoring...

Lord, only 300 men?

God, I don't think I can do this?

Lord, do you realize how many of 'them' there are?

God, why did you send the others back to camp--don't we need them?

God chose to use the enemy itself to soothe Gideons frazzled nerve and shaking hands.

So Gideon walk with the Lord down into the Midianite camp.  The big camp.  The camp that stretched on for what seemed like miles.  The camp littered with all the artillery of the time and with soldiers big enough to play pro football.

That's where God told Gideon to listen.  Not talk.  Just listen.

The Midianites were talking about Gideon's God.  They were sharing stories of all they'd heard about Him.  They were talking amongst themselves about the pickle their commanding officer, Purah, had gotten them into.

When Gideon stopped whining, complaining, crying and mumbling--he heard his enemy shaking in their boots. Okay, sandals.

He hadn't heard that until he chose to listen.

He didn't receive the encouragement he so desperately needed until he did what God wanted him to do.

So today?  Amidst the raging battle, with the army surrounding you, while you're knee deep in trouble--listen.

You'll probably hear satan's knees knocking!