Have you found yourself doing things the same way for so long but expecting different results? When fear tries to overcome you, do you remain frozen, hidden, or silent?
To Gideon, fear was a way of life. His people were terrorized by the Midianites and were forced to live in hiding. It was a huge slap in the face to their ancestors who had gone through so much to reach liberation; now Gideon and his people were in bondage all over again –– the bondage of fear.
How did life get this way? This is how. Gideon’s ancestors neglected to teach them about God and what He had done for them in the past. What happens when a generation does not teach their children about God? It means that the next generation will be left in a vulnerable, unprotected state. It means they will be left to turn toward other things to worship. And to the timid, not having strong faith in God can make it seem like life lacks purpose or will never improve.
In Gideon’s day, the way of life was to worship false gods like Asherah and Baal––gods of fertility they believed would bless their land and rescue them from poverty. But the poverty never lifted. So, God sent an angel to tell Gideon that he was chosen to rescue his people from the terrorism of the Midianites.
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he found him hiding in a winepress threshing wheat. The angel said to Gideon: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Isn’t it interesting that Gideon was called mighty before he demonstrated it? He was called mighty while hiding. God wanted Gideon to know that he would always be mighty when he partnered with God.
And mighty Gideon became. So much so that he not only crushed false idols in God’s name, but he also rescued his people from the terrorism of the Midianites.
When God called Gideon forth to save his people, he was found hiding. Still, God considered him mighty, because with God, Gideon would do great things.
When God calls us forth, we don’t always get to show up confident and strong. Being willing to fight, afraid and all, is enough for God to be strong in us. When we choose to take on God’s strength, our timid persona begins to diminish.
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord, we come before you with praise and thanksgiving. Even before we voice our concerns to You, we worship You, and acknowledge that You are greater than the evil one operating in this world. We pray for protection, and know that we are not safe without You. Even in our hiding, we know that the safest place is where You lead us. Thank You for calling us mighty before we believe that we are. Thank You for seeing more in us than we can see in ourselves. We are Your creation, and are created for Your purpose. Help us to live out our days as You see fit, and empower us to do so with the wisdom and the power of Your Holy Spirit. Where You lead us, we will follow. We are willing to go. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Be Blessed.
Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
1 John 4:4
Psalm 24:8
1 John 5:4
Judges 6-7