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

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

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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.

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