Clay jars, Torches, and Trumpets

These are the 3 things Gideon and his army used to defeat the Midianites in Judges 7. No, there's no mistake...they had no double-sided swords, or shields...just clay jars, torches and trumpets. When I read this I didn't really take heart to the fact that these weapons are important to know about! It was only after I did a little more research to find the importance of these things to our spiritual life.

Now, if you know Gideon, you would know that he wasn't this great man. His family was the weakest of the Israelites and he was the youngest in his family (not a prime choice for a warrior). But the Lord had different plans for him. Gideon was called to deliver the Midianites into the Israelites hands with the Lord's strength. We all know how it turns out, but have you ever thought about the weapons that were used?

This is what I found...WE are the clay jars, Jesus is the torch within the jar, and our testimonies are the trumpet call which we are asked to sound. Maybe you've thought about this, but when I found this it all started to make sense. Every time trials, dips, or strife are among us we are forced to rely on the promises of God. We are forced to carry out His plan with obedience and have faith that His promises are true. We have to be fully broken to receive the life Jesus has for us. With each trial we face, our clay jar is cracked. (I don't know about you, but I have a lot of cracks in my jar). The more your clay jar is cracked, the brighter the torch (Jesus) can shine through. The more you become broken in Him, the more Christ will shine through your life.

Gideon defeated the Midianites by

"blowing the trumpets and smashing the jars grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted 'a sword for the Lord and for Gideon'" ~Judges 7:20

The Midianites ran for their lives and the Lord delivered them into Gideon's hand. The cracks in our jars show our weaknesses, but as Christians, the light that shines through the cracks show our power through Jesus Christ. There is great power in our weaknesses and the best victories often come when we are at our weakest. This enables Christ to shine brighter and receive all the glory when our trials have been defeated.

Have you ever heard the saying, "Jesus is the potter and I'm the clay"? Well, it's very true! The Lord will test you, He will allow trials to enter into your life, He will allow those cracks to appear until your jar is broken and all that's left is the torch lighting your path.

Don't become dis-heartened when you face trials. Your goal is to smash the clay jar so that the torch can shine!