Sign

 And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp.
Judges 7:11 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jdg.7.11.ESV

Some people criticise Gideon for asking God for signs. Maybe he should have had confidence to simply go ahead with his mission regardless. Yet the fact that God gave Gideon signs suggests that He didn't hold his lack of confidence against him.

At Gideon's request, God provided him two signs. The fleece he put out was either drenched with dew or not, likewise the ground around it. If God had a problem with Gideon's requests, He wouldn't have provided the signs.

Not only so, but God gave Gideon an extra sign without even being asked. He knew that Gideon could do with an extra bit of encouragement and motivation to defeat the Midianites. So God commanded him to go on reconnaissance to the enemy camp.

There, Gideon would realise that the Midianites were terrified of him, his puny army, and of God. He knew that good morale is half the battle, and the poor morale of the enemy improved his own. It's like Russia has poor morale and Ukraine has good morale knowing they have a just cause to defend themselves against the aggressor.

'Almighty Father God, we're grateful that You're willing to give us signs to increase our confidence in You. Help us to realise that You'll never leave or forsake Your people, whatever life throws at us, in Christ's name, amen'

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