Ghost Army.
Judges 7.
In March 1945 and 46, the Ghost army helped US forces achieve the Ryan river Crossing – giving the allies a vital base to operate from on World War 2 Western front.
The soldiers were all part of the 23rd headquarters special troops.
These 1100 men were Actors, Doctors, Sound technicians, Special affects technicians, Building contractors etc (Show from YouTube actual footage of the Ghost army).
The ghost army would go into a war zone with convincing propaganda to the enemies.
On this occasion, the 1100 Ghost army imitated 30,000 men by using inflatable decoy tanks, blasting troops, and vehicle sound affects over speakers, and much more.
The relatively small number of ghost army members lead the enemy to fear what appeared to be a far greater force against them!
Can I tell you two can play at that game. -Satan uses every scare tactic he has to deceive,
However, Jesus’ obedience on the cross changed all odds, believes win!
I John 4.4AMP “Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].”
Gods has greater power, and greater authority. All heaven and earth for His behalf, Acts 1.8.
In, Judges chapter 6, Gideon is convinced that God is making a bad mistake by choosing him.
However, after a couple of fleece’s, Gideon is finally convinced of his appointment/call.
Gideon’s first assignment. -Destroy some fierce enemies.
Judges 7:1-8NLT “So Jerub-baal (that is, Gideon) and his army got up early and went as far as the spring of Harod. The armies of Midian were camped north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. 3 Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight. 4 But the Lord told Gideon, “There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.” 5 When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the Lord told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.” 6 Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream. 7 The Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.” 8 So Gideon collected the provisions and rams’ horns of the other warriors and sent them home. But he kept the 300 men with him. The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon.”
From 33,000 too 300! What kind of odds are you facing?
Like satan, the Midianites and their allies trembled before a tiny army of 300 that loomed large in the night.
Gideon, a judge and military leader of Israel, was used by God to make his puny army, a source of terror for the enemy.
Always remember, because of Jesus there is more on your side; Because of Jesus you’re in the majority. PH
Judges 7:8-22NLT “So Gideon collected the provisions and rams’ horns of the other warriors and sent them home. But he kept the 300 men with him. The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon. 9 That night the Lord said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! 10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. 11 Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.” So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. 12 The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! 13 Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, “I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!” 14 His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!” 15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship before the Lord. Then he returned to the Israelite camp and shouted, “Get up! For the Lord has given you victory over the Midianite hordes!” 16 He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it. 17 Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. 18 As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’” 19 It was just after midnight, after the changing of the guard, when Gideon and the 100 men with him reached the edge of the Midianite camp. Suddenly, they blew the rams’ horns and broke their clay jars. 20 Then all three groups blew their horns and broke their jars. They held the blazing torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, and they all shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21 Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. 22 When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.”
Notice, before Gideon made the majority leave Gideon gathered their propaganda torches and clay pots etc..
Just like the ghost army in 1945-46 during World War II, Gideon’s army of 300, also used sound effects Blown trumpets, smashed clay jars, human voices, and visible objects, blazing torches to make the enemy – as thick as locusts and for them to believe they were facing a colossal foe.
Before Pentecost, followers of Jesus trusted with deep hurt, after all, no one had ever rouse from the dead. -There leader, Jesus is dead.
They witnessed Jesus’ resurrection once. And now they had been with Him for 40 days, and then in, Acts 1:11 Jesus’ goes up into heaven. Presently the disciples of Jesus wait 10 days in Jerusalem in an Upper-room, Luke 24.49.
Once you were dead in your trespasses and sin, Ephesians 2:1.
Dead, dry, cold and calloused. But God!… I said, But God!
Judges 7:8b...The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon.
Upon every big situation, problem, fear, anxiety, (worst of times) a child of God faces, Remember, every child of God, should always position themselves (up above) the enemy!
Moreover, just as God used 300 men to destroy a great Multitude, and just as God used 1,100 Ghost Army soldiers to out wit and destroy the enemies camp.
God will, and has anointed you!
Psalm 92:10…I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
Amplified Bible, Psalm 92.10 I am anointed with fresh oil [for Your service].
So God’s Ghost army of 300, with Gideon leading, were ready to make their day-view. And their day view was, make God bigger!
In everything you do magnify the Lord! Psalm 34.3ESV Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
God makes it clear by just leaving 300 men, He wants the glory, and the praise. -He wants us to declare, God did it!
Again God tells Gideon in verse 9, I have given you victory over them!
When we feel weak and, or inferior, let’s seek God and rest in His strength alone. Resting is the key!
Know this, Resting in God equals pure trust! No other options.
The apostle Paul had his personal day view with trusting God.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10AMP “Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; 9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].”
What foes, or challenges are you facing?
How can you rest in God‘s power as you confront foes?
Remember, Our battle isn’t against flesh and blood! Ephesians 6:12.
It might be time for you to say, “God I’m tired, I’m ready to rest, I’m ready to trust your plan, your purpose for my life. Amen.”
