Opening Scripture:
1 Cor. 1:26-29 NLT
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.
And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. —1 Cor. 1:26-29 NLT
As we begin to ponder this Scripture, we’ll see how God often chooses ordinary, humble, and even flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes, rather than relying solely on those deemed to be great or wise by human standards.
This is often seen in biblical characters like:
- Abraham whom God called at an old age who became the father of faith.
- Paul persecuted the church, but later become an apostle of Christ.
- Peter was a fisherman who later became one of the 12 apostles.
- Rahab was a prostitute, but was used by God to save the Israelite spies.
The stories of these Bible characters are understood to be a testament of God’s grace and desire to work through ordinary men and women. For example, the story of Rahab demonstrates that God can use anyone, not just men or pastoral leaders, regardless of their past; Joshua 2.
Based on human logic, you would think that God would only use the smartest and most intellectual people to work through in order to accomplish His divine plans in the earth. Instead, we see in Scripture how God used ordinary people like Gideon who was a timid man before God got a hold of him.
Let’s take a look at Judges 6:11-16.
11) Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12) And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
Let’s park here for a moment.
God was trying to pull out what He put in Gideon, which had been lying dormant because of Israel’s oppressors. Like most people today, Gideon had some doubts before stepping into his divine purpose.
Verse 13) Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”
Many are asking questions like Gideon today concerning the challenges that they are facing. Understand that the road to deliverance and restoration is found in Jesus Christ.
God sent the ultimate deliverer (Jesus Christ) to free humanity from sin and demonic oppression? Now, as Spirit-filled believers, we are to walk in the authority that the Lord has given us!
Verse 14) Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” 15) So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house. 16) And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” Judges 6:11-16
Throughout the history of the Old Testament, we see a repeated cycle of sin, repentance, and salvation:
- Israel did evil and worshipped false gods (idols) (influenced by surrounding nations).
- God became angry and handed Israel over to an enemy nation.
- Israel cried for help!
- God raised up leaders who delivered Israel from the enemy.
- Israel returns again to foreign gods.
Be of Good Courage
Are you in a season of your life where you feel like you don’t have enough strength, resources, wisdom, etc.? You’re not alone!
When the angel of the Lord first appeared to Gideon, Gideon didn’t feel like a ‘mighty man of valor (courage). The Bible says that Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress, hiding from the Midianites.
Gideon saw himself as the least in his family and doubted he could ever be strong or courageous. However, God saw beyond Gideon’s fears and insecurities. God saw his God-given potential.
Like Gideon, we, as the people of God, can sometimes feel inadequate. Maybe you feel like you weren’t born into the right family. Maybe you feel like you don’t have enough talent or resources.
Right now, you may be lacking courage, but God calls you ‘mighty.’ You may feel overlooked, but God says, ‘I am with you.’ Gideon’s story reminds us that it’s not about who we think we are, but who God says we are. He equips the called even when we feel unqualified.
Trust that God’s ways are higher than yours. He often uses what looks like a hopeless situation, but will turn it in your favor to display His strength. When you lean into Him, He equips you with what you need, often in ways you least expect it.
Jesus said apart from Him we can do nothing; John 15:5. I encourage you to draw closer to God through your time in prayer, which develops spiritual intimacy. Most people can relate to the story of Gideon. So, God placed the story of his life in Scripture so that we can learn from it. There are times when you may feel like you don’t qualify.
When you feel outnumbered or overwhelmed, remember Gideon’s 300 men. When Gideon gathered an army to face the Midianites, God reduced his troops from 32,000 to just 300; Judges 7:1-3. God will often defy our human logic. Why? So, we can’t take the credit for it. God wants to receive the glory and He wants us to lean on and trust in Him.
Sometimes we put limitations on ourselves through our own insecurities, or we compare ourselves to others. Understand whatever we do for God we’re not doing it in our own natural strength anyway?
But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Cor 10:12
Sometimes we forget that we are walking with the Lord. If you are a child of God, then the Lord is with you! Judges 6:12. You see in the kingdom of God, the way up is down. You say how so? God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
The word grace has a two-fold meaning. It means unmerited favor, and it also means divine enablement. God will enable you to accomplish His purpose and plans for your life.
You see, if you could do it in your own strength, then you’re probably thinking too small. God had to stretch Abraham’s imagination by showing him the stars.
4 Qualities You Develop From Having a Close Relationship with God
Our daily interactions with God will strengthen us and renew vision so that we will become awakened and live with a deep sense of purpose.
- Courage
- Willingness
- Humility
- Purpose Driven
See Yourself the Way God Sees You
Gideon’s story reminds us that it’s not about who we think we are, but about who God says we are. You might feel inadequate, but God calls you ‘mighty.’ God does things in a way so that He will be glorified.
The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me; Judges 7:2.
When the angel of the Lord first appeared to Gideon, Gideon didn’t feel like a ‘mighty man of courage.’ Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress, hiding from the Midianites. He saw himself as the least in his family and doubted he could ever be strong or courageous. But God saw beyond Gideon’s fears and insecurities – He saw his God-given potential.
God is Patient with Our Doubts
Are you in a season where you’re seeking confirmation from God? Be encouraged – He isn’t frustrated by your questions. In fact, He may use moments like these to deepen your faith. God’s patience with Gideon is a reminder of His grace. He’s not looking for perfection; He’s looking for a willing heart.
Bring your doubts and concerns before the Lord and allow Him to guide you through them. Remember, even the greatest heroes of faith had moments of doubt and needed reassurance from God; Judges 6:17.
Worship God Before the Victory
It’s easy to praise God after a breakthrough, but faith calls us to worship God in expectation of what He will do. Worship shifts our focus from fear to trust, reminding us that the battle belongs to the Lord.
Some of us have been wounded. Understand that soldiers sometimes get wounded on the battlefield. It doesn’t mean that God is not with you. Some of you may be wounded physically as you believe God for your healing. And for some, your soul has been wounded. The Lord is able to bind up your wounds.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds; Psalm 147:3
There are many ways that God can heal you. One way is through prayer. And another way I want to highlight is through your worship. Let me tell you what worship does-Worship shifts your focus from fear to trust, reminding you that the battle belongs to the Lord.
Worship allows you to align your heart with God’s truth, setting the stage for His power to move.
What battles are you facing today? I encourage you to take a moment and worship God.
As you see throughout Scripture, God can work through anyone to accomplish His purpose and plans.
If you feel like you have sinned or missed your opportunity for God to work through you, I want to remind you that God’s grace and mercy is available to you today. In the story of Gideon, for example, he starts as a poor and timid man. By the end of the story, he is a national war hero, rich and powerful.
He doesn’t need our perfection – just our willingness to trust Him with what we have. Remember, it’s not about what you have or don’t have – it’s about being willing to say yes to God.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor. 12:9
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