“Are you a Gideon?”
Are you a ‘Gideon’? Your mind may think of someone that places Bibles in a hotel and honestly, prior to this week’s reading I never knew why they were called that, nor did I know of the man in the Bible named Gideon. It turns out I can really relate to my new Bible friend Gideon.
According to the book of Judges life was hard for the Israelites as the Midianites robbed, abused, and starved the people of the region. Gideon was a normal guy trying to survive the chaos when God called him to step out in faith.
“One day the angel of God came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, whose son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress, out of sight of the Midianites. The angel of God appeared to him and said, “God is with you, O mighty warrior!” Gideon replied, “With me, my master? If God is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the miracle-wonders our parents and grandparents told us about, telling us, ‘Didn’t God deliver us from Egypt?’ The fact is, God has nothing to do with us—he has turned us over to Midian.” But God faced him directly: “Go in this strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. Haven’t I just sent you?” Gideon said to him, “Me, my master? How and with what could I ever save Israel? Look at me. My clan’s the weakest in Manasseh and I’m the runt of the litter.” God said to him, “I’ll be with you. Believe me, you’ll defeat Midian as one man,” Judges 6: 11-16.
I love the honesty in Gideon’s responses. He was exhausted and doubtful because life was simply hard. He knew the stories of victory, yet felt unsure his would end that way. Despite his doubt, Gideon musters up the faith to say ‘yes’ to God, but notice how quickly he needs reassurance…
“Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.” And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return,” Judges 6: 17,18.
Aren’t we so much like Gideon? We recognize our need for God’s guidance and believe in miracles, but become plagued with doubt as we consider the magnitude of problem. Then, when we finally lay it at God’s feet, we find ourselves questioning God for a sign to ensure His faithfulness to us. So often, my mind will dissect a circumstance and drown itself in the details of how it could possibly work out; notice Gideon did the same when he referenced being the runt of the litter and the how’s and with what’s. I also can doubt God’s intentional focus on me just like Gideon when he repeatedly said, “Me??”
When you feel God calling you to step out in faith…know it. is. you. He. is. speaking. to. That’s an incredible thought when we allow it to sink in.
May we be like Gideon and not be afraid to be honest with God about our concerns. Tell him your fears and ask Him to remind you of His miracles in your past. Focus on His faithfulness and reassure yourself by knowing He intentionally seeks you.
