Some of you may know the story of Gideon, or at least the victory of Gideon. He is the first person listed in Hebrews 11, which describes heroes of faith in the Bible. People like Gideon, Joshua, Jacob, Noah, Moses, Rahab and many more.
Gideon lived around the 12th Century BC. Gideon was the son of Joash from the tribe of Manasseh. His Story is told in Judges 6-8. In a nutshell, the Midianites had oppressed Gideon’s people for seven years. God called Gideon to overthrow the Midianites. With the power of God, he led 300 men and successfully defeated the Midianites. Following the victory, Gideon continued to lead the nation of Israel for 40 years.
So, you might think it’s a pretty bold statement to say, “I Am A Gideon.” And you’d be right if I was talking about the Gideon who put boots on the ground and took down the enemy. But I’m not. I’m talking about the Gideon who was an unlikely leader. The Gideon who didn’t jump at the chance to be God’s warrior. The Gideon who most surely thought God had the wrong person. That’s the Gideon to whom I relate.
Gideon’s calling starts in Judges 6:11-12, “Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. [12] The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!”
The Angel encountered Gideon at the bottom of a winepress threshing wheat so the Midianites wouldn’t see him. Not exactly an image of a hero. Yet that is how God saw him. Gideon’s reply isn’t exactly encouraging, “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The LORD brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”
OK, now here’s where Gideon and I start to bond. Oh, how quickly I cry out, “why?!” How often I demand to know where God is and why He hasn’t helped. Why can’t I see Him? Why has he ignored the needs that He could so easily fulfill? In other words, “Where have you been and how could you let this happen?”
In v6:15, Gideon’s insecurity is exposed: “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” And just like that, my bond with Gideon deepens. I am not good enough to be used by God. I am not mature enough in my faith. I am not…fill in the blank.
But this is why I love my God! Gideon was brutally honest with God. He didn’t hold back. Did God scold him? Did he get angry? Express disappointment? Did He say, “You know what, I’ll go find someone else?” Did he say, as I said to my daughter when she was little, “This isn’t up for discussion. Do it because I said so!” Nope.
“Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” The LORD said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” Judges 6:14,16 NLT
God’s response boils down to what it was, is, and always will be, “I will be with you.” God’s call on our lives is never about our strength. Our capacity. Our ability. It is always about laying aside all humility and going forward with the faith and trust that our God will be with us. He has already paved the way.
And here is where Gideon and I cement our kinship. Despite Almighty God saying, “I will be with you.” Gideon asks for a sign; but not just one (6:36-38, then 6:39-40). The first time he asked for dry ground and a wet fleece; the second time he reversed the order and asked for wet ground and a dry fleece. And God provided both. In a loving gesture to a child who is frightened and unsure, God meets him where he is. He demonstrates a compassion and patience that, honestly, I doubt I’d have. I think I’d be more like, “I am God, for Pete’s sake! Are you kidding me?!”
We know that Gideon follows God’s command. And we can also surmise from scripture that he was still afraid. But he relied on God. I have often told my daughter, “Sometimes you just have to do it afraid.” Meaning you must trust and push forward. God used the little bid of faith Gideon had; it’s all He needed. And I believe what mattered most to God – and still does – is that we step out in faith. We do it scared. We honor the calling. Despite worldly fears or consequences.
We know how the story ends. Gideon defeats the huge Midianite army with just 300 men. For me, it’s the journey from the calling to the victory that is most powerful and meaningful. Gideon teaches us to be honest with God. To speak our fears. Yes, God knows our hearts, but He wants us to trust Him enough to lay them bare. Gideon teaches us that facing our fears and doubts builds confidence in God. It allows us to be used.
I Am a Gideon. I doubt. I fear. I demand.
But I am also the other Gideon. I will trust. I will believe. I will do it afraid.
I will never stop pursuing the faith that moves mountains. Faith that brings revival and healing. Faith that rains down miracles. Faith that whispers a powerful reminder, “I will be with you.”
This week’s accompanying prayer can be found at: https://simplyjoy.online/prayers/let-me-trust/
Awesome
Thank you, Penny!