Literally, Israel laboured in vain until Gideon was raised as their leader. Their experience was that they gave their energy to cultivate the land and plant their crops; but once the harvest was due, the Midianites would pounce on them and make away with everything. God raised Gideon to fight and subdue the Midianites who had quite impoverished the people. The Bible makes certain things clear. Firstly, God rewards the faithful. He never called us to serve Him in vain. Secondly, God uses our work as one of the ways to reward us. So, if we have served God faithfully and show diligence at work and still do not enjoy reward, we may be facing the “Midianite scenario”. In other words, it could be that the adversary is preying on our harvest.

God rewards the faithful…God uses our work as one of the ways to reward us…if we have served God faithfully and show diligence at work and still do not enjoy reward…it could be that the adversary is preying on our harvest.

What we have called the “Midianite scenario” does not answer to negotiation, we have to engage in spiritual battle and put the devil where he belongs. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV). Someone may ask, didn’t Jesus defeat the devil on the cross? Sure, He did; but we still need to enforce that victory over the devil if we are to keep the ravaging enemy in check. It is by applying the power of the blood and the principles of righteousness that we can silence the devil in our lives and protect our harvests.