Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-11-14
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR NOV. II BY THE
REV. I. w. HENDERSON.

SUBJECT: UlueOn anu Ills lnrcc Hulr
dred, Judges 1923 - Golden
Text, Deut. 1922 - Memory
Verses, II, Is.
The lesson deals with one of the
famous characters of Israelitish his
tory. 1t exemplifies how powerful a
few Spirit-filled souls may be In the
face of seemingly insuperable diff
culties 1t shows how thoroughly
God can help us, how thoroughly He
keeps His word. 1t is revelation OF
what we all might do If we so de.
sired.
When the armies met Gideon was
outnumbered. When the battle be.
came imminent he was in hopeless
minority. 1t was handful against a
multitude. But the 800 were Spirit
filled, divinely chosen, consecrated.
They were without fear, they had
courage. And because they had cour.
age and faith in Almighty God, be-
cause they had trust in the capacity
of their God to deliver the Midianites
into their hands they were victorious.
And they won by the simplest and
easiest of means. They didn't even
bravery brought CONSERVATION to the
hearts Of the enemy and the rout be-
came complete. They were stout
hearted and victorious because they
were indwelt Of the presence of God.
God had promised to deliver Mid:
ian into the hands of Israel. And
He kept His word. Without His help
the conflict might have resulted diff
ferently. But when God helped the
victory was assured. 1t didn't make
any difference whether or not the
Midianites and Amalekites were like
the grasshoppers for number and
their camels as numerous as the
sands of the seas when God gave
promise and aid. In that contingen.
cy numbers were secondary quaint.
ty and great supplies inconsequen-
tial. For their power was augmented
by the personality of God. Their
strength was in no sense dependent
upon the commissariat.
Gideon earned reputation for
consummate intrepidity that night.
His 800 consecrated, divinely COM
missioned followers enshrlned them.
selves for all time. Their dauntless.
ness has become historic. They are
the epitome of daring. They are sy.
nonymous with surprising fearless.
ness.
Now what Gideon did in his way
any consecrated soldier Of the Lord
Jesus Christ may do according to his
opportunity and his power. The trou-
BILE Is that most of us are like the
10000 and more who went back to
their tents. We are without the
necessary courage. We are too much
consumed with fear. We don't dare
to dare. And no man can do any
thing who lacks heart, who hasn't
nerve. No man certainly can war
against the principalities and powers
Of the empire of unrighteousness who
has no faith in God, and who is lack.
ing in a necessary trust In divinity.
But putting our faith and trust in
Jehovah we may do anything. For
God trusts those who sincerely put
their trust in Him. He has faith in
the faithful. 1t could not be other
wise. And with Him with us we
need fear no obstacles. Whatever
may be the difficulties and oppositions
that confront us He will guarantee
us the victory IL we will do His will.
are the simplest. We shall find how
utterly cowardly and inefficient are
the forces that oppose us and how lit.
tie it takes to put them altogether to
rout.
The lesson ought to be an inspira'
ton to every man who in the name
and for the glory of God and the con.
servation of the interests of human.
ity wars against wickedness in any
place. 1t ought especially to be an
inspiration to those who have banded
themselves to fight the plunderers in
every walk of life are laying plans tc
rob the people of their birthrights, az
INDIAN attacked Israel, or who al.
ready have annexed to themselves the
properties and the possessions Of the
people. For as sure as God lives IL
we do Gods will we shall confound
them all. And by the most unex-
pected and simple methods. And II
will need but few valiant souls to
do it. A host is no more necessary
to-day than it was that famous night
when Gideon led the 800 against the
multitude.
1t is necessary that we shall have
IdllI Ill HOu. HdI VIC Sudli ~
gether tho men whom God has fitted
to do His holy work. 1t is necessary
that we shall take our orders from
that Spirit of truth who is the light
of the world and the salvation there.
of and do His bidding and remain
steadfast. For GOD is helping US.
God has promised us victory as truly
as He promised victory to Gideon.
Whenever we get discouraged let
us look at~Gideon. When we are in.
clined to doubt Gods capacity and
promise fulfilling power let us read
anew what He did for Israel and for
the endless fame of Gideon. When
we think we are few against the
hosts of sin that are expressing us let
us receive courage from the victory
He insured for Israel. For He is
with us as He was with them. If we
trust Him He will trust us. If we
will have faith in Him He will glorify
,,s Eor tho God of yectardnv Ia the