“The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!” (Judges 7:20)

Gideon ordered his men to do two things: conceal a flaming torch in a clay pitcher, and when he gave the signal, break the pitcher and let the light shine, and then blow a trumpet, and yell, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon! The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!” This is precisely what all Christians should do. First, you must shine; and break the pitcher that conceals your light.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works”, so when men look upon you, they’ll know that you have been with Jesus (Matthew 5:16). But good works aren’t enough. Then there must be the sound, the blowing of the trumpet. There must be active exertions for the ingathering of sinners by proclaiming Christ crucified. Take the Gospel to them; carry it to their door; put it in their way; do not allow them to escape it; blow the trumpet right against their ears.

Remember the war-cry of the Church is Gideon’s watchword, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!” God must do it, it’s His own work, but we are His instruments. If we only cry, “The sword of the Lord!” we will be guilty of an idle presumption; and if we shout, “The sword of Gideon!” alone, we will proclaim a falsehood: we must blend the two in practical harmony, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!” We can do nothing of ourselves, but we can do everything by the help of our God.

“I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).