TODAY IN THE WORD
In November 2006, a 9-year-old girl in Las Vegas ran out into a busy boulevard and was hit by a Cadillac. A group of homeless men were sitting and drinking across the street when one of them, a one-eyed alcoholic named Stanford, saw the little girl trapped under the car. The men ran over and miraculously lifted the 5,000-pound car, saving the girl’s life. Even the police spokesman called the rescue “incredible.”

From what we know about Gideon, his selection to be the deliverer of Israel was equally incredible. In his first appearance in Scripture, he was hiding in a winepress to keep his wheat a secret from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared and addressed him as a “mighty warrior”—hardly the address we would expect given Gideon’s location and actions (v. 12).

Gideon’s response didn’t sound very mighty. Essentially he asked, “Where is God?” Given the situation of God’s people, there didn’t seem to be much evidence of God’s presence. The Lord responded to both issues implied in the question. First, He was selecting Gideon to deliver the people. Second, as to His whereabouts, He was right there, present with Gideon (v. 14). But Gideon was locked into his defeated viewpoint. He didn’t even recognize the Lord, complaining, “I can’t do it! My clan is weak! I’m weak!” Notice that this wasn’t untrue from a human perspective. But God was offering Gideon a divine perspective.

Gideon did finally recognize, worship, and obey God—but he was still plagued by fear (vv. 22, 24, 27). When the men of the town threatened him for destroying their idolatrous altars, Gideon’s father defended him—and included a subtle mockery of Baal (v. 31). Gideon had obeyed, however tentatively, and God’s Spirit came upon him to empower him for his calling (v. 34). The Lord remained patient with Gideon as he requested yet additional confirmation that God’s promised deliverance would come. Whether Gideon believed it himself, God would use him to be a mighty warrior in a legendary defeat of Midian.

---

TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What do you believe as truth about yourself? Do you think too highly of yourself, falling into the trap of the Pharisees? Or do you think you’re too weak, too young or old, or too limited in some way to be effective? God determines the truth about us. Begin with the truth about your creation in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). Then remember your identity in Christ as a redeemed, loved child of God (Rom. 1:7). And finally, remember that the Holy Spirit fills and equips us for what He has called us to do (Eph. 2:10).

< Previous Day

Next Day >