A few weeks back I was reading the story of Gideon and how God used him, even when Gideon doubted his own worth.
Something in Gideon strikes a cord in me.
Meet Gideon. We find him threshing grain in a wine press, a very impractical endeavor. Part of winnowing the grain requires it to be thrown in the air, letting the chaff be blown away and the grain heads remain. But there is no breeze in a wine press. A counterproductive effort at best. Gideon was living in fear.
The Lord sent an angel to encourage Gideon and look what the angel says:
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, “The Lord be with you, brave soldier.” 13 Then Gideon said, “Pardon me, sir, but if the Lord is with us, why are we having so many troubles?… 14 The Lord turned toward Gideon and said, “Then use your great power and go save the Israelites from the Midianites. I am sending you to save them.” Judges 6:12-14 ERV
The first thing the Lord did was give Gideon His perspective. Gideon saw himself as timid and afraid but God called him brave. Then the Lord commissioned Gideon to save the nation.
Much is said in Judges 6-7 between Gideon and the Lord. God proved to Gideon that He could be trusted and He would empower Gideon for whatever battle he faced.
Gideon started out with an army of 32,000 men and God reduced the size to 300. Gideon sent home everyone who was afraid to fight and also those who weren’t alert enough to watch for danger.
“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘I will use the 300 men who lapped the water like a dog. I will use them to save you, and I will allow you to defeat the Midianites. Let the other men go home.’” Judges 7:7 ERV
Greatly outnumbered and out skilled, Gideon and his small band of soldiers faced overwhelming odds but he had a promise. God had promised him victory.
“Then all three groups of Gideon’s men blew their trumpets and smashed their jars. The men held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands. As they blew their trumpets, they shouted, ‘A sword for the Lord and a sword for Gideon!’
21 Gideon’s men stayed where they were. But inside the camp, the men of Midian began shouting and running away. 22 When Gideon’s 300 men blew their trumpets, the Lord caused the men of Midian to kill each other with their swords.” Judges 7:20-22 ERV
Was Gideon someone special? Not in the natural. Gideon said of himself that he was the youngest son of the most insignificant family in his tribe. But, God saw someone who would trust Him.
“The Lord answered Gideon and said, ‘I will be with you, so you can defeat the Midianites as easily as if they were only one man.’” Judges 6:16 ERV
How do you see yourself? Do you doubt your value and abilities?
I’ve said it before but I will remind you again. The greatest ability that God is looking for is availability. God is still looking for those, like Gideon, who will trust Him in spite of their own shortcomings.
Let God give you His perspective!
Love this! Such a great reminder to look at ourselves through God’s eyes, and to remember the power we have in Him.
You, my friend, are a mighty warrior!