Trust is like a beautiful butterfly: born in transformative struggle it is strong yet fragile requiring careful handling at all times. But, once earned, carefully handled trust can produce beautiful things.

The life of Gideon the reluctant warrior is a great example. At first he was vocally distrustful of God when an angel came with a divine message, but after confirmation Gideon trusted God enough to break down the village idol. God protected Gideon from the wrath of his village so the trust was strengthened. It was needed because God had even greater risk planned for Gideon that would require even greater trust.

Once Gideon was convinced the instruction was from God he was ready to lead the army into battle as ordered (Judges 7:1). However, God had a test for Gideon that would stretch the limits of his faith in the fight against the enemy army described as being like the sand on the seashore (7:12). God wanted to reduce the army so it was clear the victory was from Him rather than them. First He had Gideon dismiss the frightened (7:3) then by an arbitrary drinking test reduced the army to just 300 men (7:4-6). Because Gideon had come to trust God he believed His promise to give him victory with just those 300 (7:7-8).

Victory in God doesn't require an army just a butterfly’s worth of trust. Do you have that kind of trust?