1. INSECURITY HAPPENS WHEN WE TRUST IN INSECURE THINGS. Judges 6:1-6 The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight. So the LORD handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel, camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. These enemy hordes, coming with their livestock and tents, were as thick as locusts; they arrived on droves of camels too numerous to count. And they stayed until the land was stripped bare. So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD for help. When we search for meaning in the things of this world, it leads to massive insecurity. Colossians 2:8-10 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. 2. THE FIRST STEP TO OVERCOMING INSECURITY IS LISTENING TO GOD’S VOICE. Judges 6:12-13 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!” “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The LORD brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” Mark 4:24 Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. 3. ADJUST YOUR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LIFE TO BE BUILT ON JESUS Judges 6:34 Then the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon with power. Acts 8:36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” Obedience doesn’t have to wait for understanding… 4. DAILY VICTORY COMES THROUGH DAILY DEPENDENCE. Judges 7:7 The LORD told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home. Judges 7:16 He divided the 300 men into three groups and gave each man a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it. 5. OUR SECURITY IN CHRIST WILL BE TESTED. Judges 8:1 Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us this way? Why didn’t you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?” And they argued heatedly with Gideon. Judges 8:4-6 Gideon then crossed the Jordan River with his 300 men, and though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy. When they reached Succoth, Gideon asked the leaders of the town, “Please give my warriors some food. They are very tired. I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” But the officials of Succoth replied, “Catch Zebah and Zalmunna first, and then we will feed your army.” Luke 6:66-67 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”