EMPTY FORT STRATEGY - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Our Daily Bread - Wednesday, February 24, 2016
by RBC Ministries

Details

EMPTY FORT STRATEGY

READ:

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
-Jeremiah 32:27

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 9-11
Mark 5:1-20

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?" (Jeremiah 32:27). - Poh Fang Chia
Be strong in the Lord and be of good courage;
Your mighty Defender is always the same.
Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending;
Victory is sure when you call on His Name. - Johnson

With God, all things are possible.

More From Our Daily Devotional Archives

The LORD is near
for Wednesday, December 25, 2013
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

Having opened their treasures, they offered to Him gifts, gold, and frankincense

"Having opened their treasures, they offered to Him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
(Matthew 2:11)

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and when the tidings reached the guilty tyrant who sat upon the Jewish throne, he "was troubled and all Jerusalem with him." The men of the city had...More

Open Heavens
for Sunday, March 2, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

NEGATIVE LIVING

Life comprises of positive and negative elements. As a matter of necessity, it is not good for someone to opt for negative living. The fact that Jesus Christ was destined to die for the sin of the whole world does not exonerate Judas Iscariot from the evil that led him to the idea of betraying the King of Glory....More

Our Daily Bread
for Sunday, July 22, 2018
by RBC Ministries

Hope Anyway

Read: Psalm 34:15-18 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 31-32; Acts 23:16-35

God's Word is the true source of comfort.

By Dave...More

The LORD is near
for Monday, March 7, 2023
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

Don't Quit

These all died in faith Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:13, 16 NKJV

Don't Quit
Hebrews 11 has been called the "Heroes' Hall of Faith." It presents illustrations of faith, not in an abstract way, but in the real...More