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)
