What could be the motivation of three hundred tired and hungry men?
These were men who had spent long hours and days on the battlefield with just a little water and no food. Fainting, hungry and tired, they approached some neighbours and asked them for food before they could continue their war expedition, but their neighbours refused and mocked them instead. However, that mockery didn’t deter them. They had set their faces like a flint and vowed never to return home without the heads of Zebah and Zalmunna.
This is the story of the three hundred men of Gideon, who with their young captain had slain, by the sword of the Lord, the hosts of Midian. On seeing how fierce the war had become and observing how their powerful princes and armies had been cut down, the two kings of Midian fled the battlefield for safety.
Gideon, who had hitherto dragged his feet prior to the war, but who now saw the valiant display of God’s sword, fixated his mind on complete victory. So, when the kings of Midian ran away, Gideon and his three hundred chosen men pursued after them beyond Jordan, faint, yet pursuing. Asking for bread from the princes of Succoth, he got a resounding NO as an answer. Yet that didn’t deter him nor his men.
You see, when victory is assured, even a dying man would be reinvigorated. When God is on your side and has shown you that the enemies are bread, even a fainting man would pursue.
When the Lord grants you his grace to win, don’t pity the enemy, and don’t let your tiredness get in the way.
The princes of Succoth and Penuel refused to give food to Gideon’s men, yet they continued to wage war against the two kings of Midian.
Sometimes you are tired, but keep pursuing
You are hungry, keep pursuing
You have been disappointed, keep pursuing
Neighbours are mocking, keep pursuing
Friends and family are preoccupied, but keep pursuing
No light at the end of the tunnel, keep pursuing
You just lost a child, a friend or a loved one; keep pursuing
Satan and the host of hell are releasing their last ammunition on you; don’t stop! Keep pursuing.
Your faith seems to be hanging on a thread; please, don’t lose focus. Keep pursuing!
When the grace of God to accomplish a task has been released upon your life, pursue until total victory is accomplished. The grace may not take away the hunger, the pain and the tiredness, but it will guarantee victory at last.
STAY THE COURSE! KEEP PURSUING! KEEP PRAYING!
