How can we trust God's methods when they seem unconventional or unexpected? Facing Hornets: God’s Strange Yet Sure Strategy Exodus 23:28 – “I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites from before you.” Imagine standing on the edge of the Promised Land, geared for military conquest… and God says, “Actually, I’m sending hornets.” Not chariots, not a vast Israelite army—hornets. It sounds unconventional, even odd, but it was God’s chosen method. Key observation • The verse is stated as a promise, not a suggestion. God is declaring what He will do, and Israel is called to take Him at His word. Why Trust an Unconventional God? • God’s methods flow from His perfect wisdom (Isaiah 55:8-9). • He delights in confounding human expectations so that His glory is unmistakable (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). • Every promise He makes is backed by His unchanging character (Numbers 23:19). Patterns of Unpredictable Deliverance 1. Gideon’s 300 (Judges 7:2-7) – God trimmed the army so “Israel could not boast,” then used torches and trumpets to rout the Midianites. 2. Jericho’s Falling Walls (Joshua 6:1-20) – Marching silently for six days, shouting on the seventh—no siege engines, only obedience and faith. 3. The Red Sea Pathway (Exodus 14:13-22) – Water stood like walls; the same sea that saved Israel destroyed Egypt. 4. The Cross itself (Colossians 2:14-15) – Defeat turned to victory; a Roman execution became the salvation of the world. These accounts share a theme: when God’s plan looks least likely, His power shines brightest. Practical Steps to Trust When God’s Ways Surprise Us • Rehearse past faithfulness – Keep a personal list of times God provided in unexpected ways. Scripture repeatedly calls Israel to “remember” (Deuteronomy 8:2). • Stay anchored in the written Word – What He promises, He performs (Romans 4:21). The more we know His voice in Scripture, the easier it is to follow unconventional commands. • Obey the next step – Israel still had to advance into Canaan; Gideon still had to blow the trumpet. Faith shows up in action (James 2:17). • Guard against self-reliance – Unorthodox methods expose any tendency to trust our own strength. Paul’s “thorn” kept him leaning on God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Encouragement for Today If the path God sets before you feels unusual—wait in peace. The hornets of Exodus 23:28 remind us that He can employ anything in creation to accomplish His purposes. What matters is not how conventional the method is, but how trustworthy the One who speaks is. Take Him at His word, step forward, and watch His surprising strategies bring certain victory. |
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