Judges 7:16
"When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon."
The angel of the Lord recognized Gideon as a mighty man of valor who was called to save Israel from the Midianites. But Gideon, from a human point of view, was a man of fear, excuses, and tests. First he declared that his clan was the weakest in Manasseh, and if that was not enough, he was the least in his father's house. God reassured him telling him he would attack Midian as one man, one man empowered by God. Should this have been enough for Gideon?
Strangely enough, it was not. Gideon asked God for further signs to prove to him that he was to really do what God had said. After the first test, he declared that he had seen the angel of the Lord. He even built an altar there calling it "The Lord is peace.' Certainly, Gideon would be alright now.
God called him to pull down the altar of Baal and replace it with an altar to the one, true God. Gideon obeyed, but he was so afraid of his family and the men of the town, that he did it by night.The men came for him, but his father defended him. From that day on, he was known as Jerubbaal which means 'Let Baal contend against him.' God used him mightily in spite of his fear.
As the Midianites approached, the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon. Even though he bravely called for his men, he had his own private conversation with God where he asked God to show him two more signs confirming his mission. Even though fear was his ever present companion, God was patient with him.
Before the battle, God told Gideon that he had too many men in his army. Finally there were only 300 men. God spoke to him that night and told him that the Midianites would be delivered into his hands, but that if he was still afraid, he could take his servant with him when he went into the enemy camp to hear what they had to say. He did take his servant! But after hearing the words of the enemy, his heart was strengthened. He went back to his men and gave the orders. With a trumpet and a shout, he yelled, 'For the Lord and for Gideon.' The battle was decidedly the Lord's. His power was sufficient in the face of Gideon's overwhelming fear.
When God chooses a man to be his servant, it doesn't matter if he is fearful because God's power is what enables the man. Whatever the weaknesses of any servant of God, God's grace is still stronger and more abundant. "For my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Does this apply to me? Yes, Yes! All my weaknesses are opportunities for service because of the grace of God. God does not want my talents or my gifts; instead, He wants my dependence on Him. Is that why He used Gideon? Even though Gideon was afraid, he came to God for what he needed. He didn't do anything in his human strength or with his own plan. His way was completely God orchestrated!
Father,
Help me to see all my weaknesses so that I might come to You for Your grace. Use me as you did Gideon.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Strangely enough, it was not. Gideon asked God for further signs to prove to him that he was to really do what God had said. After the first test, he declared that he had seen the angel of the Lord. He even built an altar there calling it "The Lord is peace.' Certainly, Gideon would be alright now.
God called him to pull down the altar of Baal and replace it with an altar to the one, true God. Gideon obeyed, but he was so afraid of his family and the men of the town, that he did it by night.The men came for him, but his father defended him. From that day on, he was known as Jerubbaal which means 'Let Baal contend against him.' God used him mightily in spite of his fear.
As the Midianites approached, the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon. Even though he bravely called for his men, he had his own private conversation with God where he asked God to show him two more signs confirming his mission. Even though fear was his ever present companion, God was patient with him.
Before the battle, God told Gideon that he had too many men in his army. Finally there were only 300 men. God spoke to him that night and told him that the Midianites would be delivered into his hands, but that if he was still afraid, he could take his servant with him when he went into the enemy camp to hear what they had to say. He did take his servant! But after hearing the words of the enemy, his heart was strengthened. He went back to his men and gave the orders. With a trumpet and a shout, he yelled, 'For the Lord and for Gideon.' The battle was decidedly the Lord's. His power was sufficient in the face of Gideon's overwhelming fear.
When God chooses a man to be his servant, it doesn't matter if he is fearful because God's power is what enables the man. Whatever the weaknesses of any servant of God, God's grace is still stronger and more abundant. "For my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Does this apply to me? Yes, Yes! All my weaknesses are opportunities for service because of the grace of God. God does not want my talents or my gifts; instead, He wants my dependence on Him. Is that why He used Gideon? Even though Gideon was afraid, he came to God for what he needed. He didn't do anything in his human strength or with his own plan. His way was completely God orchestrated!
Father,
Help me to see all my weaknesses so that I might come to You for Your grace. Use me as you did Gideon.
In Jesus name,
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment