Gideon's Army by S. J. Niccolls, D. D.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 7, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 30.

Gideon's Army.

By S. J. Niccolls, D. D.

It is a sad reflection that there are multitudes in the visible church who are a hindrance rather than any real help or spiritual power. The enthusiasm which led them to enlist in the service of Christ has died out, and they even regret that they entered his service. If in some honorable way they could be absolved from their vows, they would gladly accept the release, and go back to their old life. Here is a question for our consideration: Is it the overwhelming majority of any particular church or the small minority that is ever ready to volunteer its services for Christ? There were twenty-two thousand of Gideon's army of thirty-two thousand whom God could not use, for their hearts were not wholly joined to him.

But as God is searching for men of his own heart, the winnowing process is still continued. The ten thousand who remain are not lacking in courage, but his service demands other qualities. Courage is not all the Christian soldier needs; there must be also prudence, watchfulness, and self-denial. It was to discover these qualities that the second test was instituted. The whole army was led down in the sight of the enemy to the fountain of Harod to drink. Little things often furnish the best indications of character. So here ninety-seven hundred, either in the spirit of reckless bravado or of self-indulgence, flung themselves down on the ground and abandoned themselves to the luxury of quenching their thirst. They were careless of danger and unthinking of surprise. It was an unsoldierly attitude. Only three hundred stood erect and lapped the water from their hands. They showed that duty, and not self-indulgence, was uppermost in their minds. These were the men whom God chose as his instruments. They were men of faith, courage, prudence, watchfulness, and self-denial. By such men, be they few or many, God conquers. There has always been, there is now in his church, such a minority. They are men and women of unfaltering faith, earnest prayer, and loyally devoted to Christ. They can be depended upon in emergencies. Their object is not to indulge themselves in the good of this world, but to do some good in it. They are ready for labor and count their time, their property, their all, not their own, but God's. "God looks upon them with delight." As they honor him, he honors them. They are the true conquerors of the world, the pioneers in every glorious cause. They shall walk with their Lord in white, for they are worthy.

The three hundred outnumbered the hosts of Midian, for God was with them. It is grand to stand with God's minorities. Better be with them than with the myriads of his enemies. Better be with them than with the large majority of cowardly, half-hearted Christians whom he cannot use. Fear not, little flock, outnumbered and despised by the world. Stand steadfast. "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."—S. J. Niccolls, D. D.