Gideon, the least important member of the weakest family in his tribe, could not believe what God was asking him to do: wipe out the fearsome hordes of Midianite invaders that were ransacking Israel’s land. So, he asked for a sign, and God gave one. As the Midianites massed with their allies, ready to strike, Gideon put out a call for fighters to join him from other tribes… and asked God for another sign, and then a third.
With all these fighters and three confirmations from God, the fearful Gideon finally thought he was ready. At this point, God had a surprise for Gideon to stretch his faith even more. “I want to hand Midian over to you,” said the Lord, “but you have too many men for me to do that.” God did not want Israel to think that their numbers and prowess in battle were the reasons for victory. After 22,000 men left, God said there were still too many.
When Gideon’s forces were reduced to just 300, God was ready to deliver Israel, and what a deliverance it was!
As we read Scripture, we find that God brings great outcomes from humanly impossible circumstances. How many other battles were won by prayer and the Spirit of God? Joshua only prevailed against the Amalekites when three old men on a mountain kept on praying. Jericho’s walls fell not through force but through obedience to an “impossible” plan. How many great leaders were born to barren women? Isaac was born to Sarah; Jacob and Esau to Rebecca; Joseph to Rachel; the prophet Samuel to Hannah; Samson to the unnamed wife of Manoah; John the Baptist to Elizabeth. How could fi ve loaves and two small fish feed over 5,000 people, or Peter catch fish in waters where he, the master of his craft, did not expect to find any? And how could a baby born of a virgin who grew up to die a criminal’s death bring salvation to humankind?
God chooses unexpected, small beginnings to give world-sized results. Fisherman Peter became a “fisher of men” who filled his nets during his lifetime of ministry. From 12 disciples, a worldwide church was born numbering millions who have trusted in God’s plan of salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Boards and leaders of missionary organizations long for our ministry to have an impact on lives for God.
Our founders, Abe and Mary Kroeker, wanted printed books for French-speaking Africans. Did they imagine, at the outset, that their printed materials would reach eighty countries? Synergie Francophone (formerly BLF USA) and BLF Canada, featured in this issue, are small organizations sharing a big vision for 300 million French-speaking people. French is a much-spoken world language with relatively little Christian literature compared with the vast array that is available in English.
Synergie Francophone and BLF Canada have few staff members and small but faithful support bases. It is tempting to look to good strategies and methods to make our vision a reality, but “it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit” as God reminded Zerubbabel when he faced the mountainous task of rebuilding the temple.
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zech. 4:10 (NLT). Our work may have started small, but it has grown. We may feel insignificant as we face the huge vision God has given us, but God reminds us how he works by his Spirit. As he brings fish into the nets and fruitful outcomes from impossible situations, we will know that God is the One who did it. Do not despise the day of small beginnings. God is in them, and they are designed to give him the glory. Thank you for being a part of the growing ministries you will read about in this issue.
Angela Brandle, Executive Director, Synergie Francophone
