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The DEEP

Luck

Not!

Judges 7:15–18

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.” Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. And he said to them, “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do: When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp, and say, ‘The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!’ ”

Gideon just can’t believe his luck. Of course, overhearing the Midianite’s dream is really anything but luck and Gideon’s faith meter hits the pin. So, he does the only thing anyone could do—worship.

Then he acts. That action is essential. Had Gideon just “gone back to the couch” after worshipping, the worship would have lacked something. He would have acknowledged and celebrated God’s goodness but then let it all go to waste. Would that even qualify as worship?

Most celebrations aren’t worship. Having a good time is fine, but let’s not kid ourselves. Worship has to be more. Gideon’s actions sanctify his worship.


But was what Gideon witnessed here a miracle? That’s an interesting debate. Some feel that a miracle must be “contra natura.” That is, it must be physically impossible, violating the laws of nature or physics.

Others think that events like this one, those that are merely off-the-charts improbable, qualify as miracles. God often uses natural processes to work His will. When events are both outrageously improbable and connected to specific prophesy or prayer, they can qualify as miracles. I like to call these improbable events “minor miracles” to distinguish them from “contra natura” miracles.

But super improbable events must be super rare; otherwise they’re not all that improbable. There are benefits from being sensitive to these “minor miracles,” but don’t overdo it.

Both extremes have problems. Contra natura miracles were a sign of the apostolic age. We don’t get many of them nowadays. Thus, limiting miracles to just that kind pretty much sentences you to never seeing a miracle. That’s missing out.

But the other extreme is worse. Seeing extraordinary meaning in ordinary things is the birthplace of superstition. That can lead to a lot of justified ridicule. Avoid that like the plague.

There’s one final “contra natura” argument that’s compelling if handled properly—that this is all a matter of semantics. One doesn’t have to label super improbable events as miracles to appreciate that they’re from God. He works His will in amazing and glorious ways, usually through natural processes. That’s just not what the word “miracle” means.

Okay, fine. So, what should those things be called? Give me a short label.


These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Weekend DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

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The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

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