Judges 6.14 14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go
in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send
you?” (ESV)
Gideon was in a tough spot and now, almost as if to make
matters worse, God shows up and tells him to throw off the oppression of the
Midianites…by himself. Aw, c’mon God! I
got other things to attend to and I’m all alone! With God we’re never alone.
With God we’re never outnumbered, and with God we’ve all the strength in the
universe.
Gideon and Israel were hiding because enemies stronger
than themselves were oppressing them and ravaging their land. Whenever they got
ahead a coupla bucks something came up and set them back. The needed help and
were desperate but somehow not desperate enough – they seemed to ignore God. A
God-unseen is not as comforting as a god-up close.
The story of Gideon is a story of overcoming – overcoming
a belief. Many times we can’t do something because we think we lack the
resources: we can’t do something because we lack the belief. Gideon was such a
person: it never occurred to him that faith in God just might be all he needed
to get the job (defeating the Midianites) done.
In the beginning of the story the angel addresses Gideon
as God saw him: as he truly was: a mighty
man of valor. Gideon didn’t see it, but just because he didn’t, didn’t mean
it wasn’t true. And that is exactly where we need God: when we’re blind and
cannot see. When we’re weak and cannot move. When we’re poor and cannot pay.
When the diagnosis comes and we cannot make it go away.
Who makes someone a mighty man? Who gives strength to the
weak, and victory to the oppressed? Who gives the poor the means they need? It
ain’t them! That’s why they’re weak, oppressed and poor! Strength comes from
God. Gideon just needed to believe that.
What is the difference between our situation today and
the situation of centuries back when God showed up and called Gideon a might
man of valor? Nothing – God is still the same God and the needs of men are
still the same and the calling of leadership is still the same… the only
difference now as then: do I believe what God calls me? Do I believe that my
strength is His strength and the battle is not mine but His? The Only strength
and valor Gideon had was God. Gideon just couldn’t believe it. What he believed
held him back.
On this Good Friday, what is holding us back – or do we
have the belief to blaze ahead? The Strength we have is God, and the belief we
have is He has given us our Strength; and is with us. God will choose us to do
impossible things – we just have to choose to believe Him.
Father, strengthen us to believe beyond what we see and
think – You are with us and the Strength we have is You! Amen.
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