May 30, 1999, Sunday

Do you think premonitions are valid and have any truths

to them? Is it possible that an associate could interpret

a dream or premonition? What comfort could one find in the

knowledge and meaning of the interpretation of the dream?

The Scripture tells us that Gideon was an Israeli military

leader that took his marching orders from the Lord. While

on a mission of espionage, he overheard a conversation among

two soldiers in the Midianite camp, the enemy of Israel. He

returned to his own camp with confidence and with a stronger

faith in the Lord. He discovered his enemy's fear of Israel-

"And when Gideon had come, there was a man telling a dream

to his companion. He said, "I have had a dream: To my surprise,

a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it

came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned,

and the tent collapsed" (Judges 7:13). The companion in the

enemy camp was sharing his premonition and anxiety, however

Gideon was discovering the hand of God at work. He found the

true companion of his soul faithful!

The conversation of the soldier was answered by his fellow

soldier who interpreted the dream by his discerning counsel-

"This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of

Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered

Midian and the whole camp" (Judges 7:14). Gideon returned

to his own camp with the assurance and counsel that God

had given him the sure promise of victory!

Gideon found comfort in the fact that even though he only had

a small band of men to fight against Midian, God was with him-

"And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream

and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the

camp of Israel, and said, "Arise, for the Lord has delivered

the camp of Midian into your hand" (Judges 7:15). It was not

important that Israel had been reduced to poverty and did not

have many resources to fight against Midian. The consolation

to have the Lord of the Hosts at your side is enough in any

situation or circumstance. Gideon praised the Lord for that!

Let us remember who is the God that is always with us. God's

Name is Jehová Shammah. He is the God that is our Companion.

His fellowship is our joy and confidence. He is our Counselor.

When we do not have an answer in difficult times, He gives us

the answer. Jehová Shammah is our Comforter. When we are

suffering, He comforts us with with His reassurance. He gives

more grace according to His promise. Lift your hands to Him

and Praise Him today for the fact that He is the God that

is always with us, our Immanuel!