In the
Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, author Luo
Guanzhong describes the “Empty Fort Strategy,” a use of reverse psychology to
deceive the enemy. When 150,000 troops from the Wei Kingdom reached Xicheng,
which had less than 2,500 soldiers, they found the city gate wide open and the
famous military tactician Zhuge Liang calmly playing the zither with two
children beside him. The Wei general, baffled by the scene and believing it was
an ambush, ordered a full retreat.
The Bible
offers another example of a bewildering battle strategy. In Judges 7, God
had Gideon use 300 men, horns, jars, and blazing torches against armies that
were “as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number” (v.12).
Could
Israel defeat such a formidable foe? It was humanly impossible! They had
neither the manpower nor the military hardware. But they had one thing that
worked for them and that was all they needed. They had God’s promise: “With
these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory” (v.7 nlt). The result?
Victory!
Are you
facing a formidable challenge? The Lord has said, “Behold, I am the Lord, the
God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jer. 32:27).
With God,
all things are possible. (RBC)
