God chose Gideon to lead the Israelite army against the Midianites even though he was from the lowest tribe, the poorest family. The Midianites were viewed as this huge overtaking army of over 20,000 people.
So Gideon thought, 'Man, why would God choose me? I'm this poor boy from this poor tribe, why would God put this on me?' He was struggling with it. They had a little back and forth, but Gideon takes over the army anyway.
He gets 20,000 soldiers together to go fight the Mennonite army. But God says, 'Wait. If you win with 20,000 people, you're going to get all the glory. But this isn't your fight, it’s my fight.
So God cuts his army in half. He's going to go to war with 10,000 people against 20,000 people.
Again God says, "No, wait, stop. This is still too many soliders. This isn't your fight, this is my fight.
God cuts his army down to 300 people.
300 people against 20,000.
God says, 'Okay, you're ready.' But that just seems like the opposite of ready, right? You're going to war against 20,000 people with 300 people? There's just no way to win.
So Gideon and his army get to the battlefield. They circle around the city, blow their trumpets. It's late at night and the Midianites get confused and they start fighting each other.
God wins this battle for the Israelites without them having to lift the sword.
I picked this name because we're from Saginaw. We're not a rich city. Most of us don't come from super privileged families. Nothing against those that do, but a lot of us don't.
But when God puts his hand on something, there's nothing that you can’t do. I believe 100% that God has a purpose for each and every individual in Saginaw and in the world.
That's why Gideon Boxing Gym is here: to help people find that purpose."
- Joe Mendez, Gideon Boxing Gym
