The film was what is referred to as a sleeper hit, an unexpected box office surprise. The story revolves around an inventor who accidentally shrinks his own children, along with the next-door neighbor’s children by way of his electromagnetic shrinking machine, and then inadvertently tosses the mini-kiddos out in the trash. These teeny children must then battle their way through the backyard to return home, all while fending off giant insects and negotiating dangerous hazards. The movie, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, held the title of highest grossing, live-action Disney film for years, spawning 2 sequels, a television series, and even a theme-park attraction.
As amusing as that movie was, it pales in comparison to the true story of Gideon’s Incredible Shrinking Army! When we find our reluctant hero, he is hiding in a winepress. The world saw a chicken, but God saw a “mighty man of valor,” a candidate that could be used to rescue God’s people from the severe oppression of the Midianites who were ravaging the land of crops and livestock, leaving the inhabitants of the land to starve. Gideon amasses an army to take on the Midianites, but the odds are not good, for our hero had a mere 32,000 men to take on the well-armed, 135,000-man strong, enemy forces. But then the shrinking begins, for God instructs Gideon to send home “whosoever is fearful and afraid,” and poof, the army is reduced by “twenty and two thousand.” Now the odds are worse, 10,000 to 135,000. The shrinking army saga continues, as God tells Gideon that “the people are yet too many,” and weeds out another 9,700 men, reducing Gideon’s forces to “three hundred men.”
God had a motive behind this incredible shrinking army event, for centuries before He had promised His people that He would fight their battles, “and five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight.” God plus 300 men would prove to be one unbeatable team! Gideon would watch in amazement as God would reduce the Israelite army by 90%, arm them with pitchers, lamps, and trumpets, implement the baffling military strategy of sounding the battle cry and standing still, and yet pull off a stunning victory.
When a miraculous deliverance occurs, as such was the case with Gideon and his shrinking army, there can be only one explanation, God did it! Our confidence does not lie in our abilities and resources, but in His power and presence!
Psalm 118:9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
Lord, I constantly need reminded that YOU fight my battles, YOU are in control, and YOU will win the victory.