I have been poring over the Gideon chapters for days now, trying to decide just how much of my personal insights to share, and how much to do in a single sitting. I have read and re-read the chapters, and feel really excited about the applicable lessons that we can take from Gideon's life.
So here's my take of the first half of Chapter 6
Verse 4 shows just what kind of warfare the enemies of God's nation were using against them. It was vicious warfare.
Verse 6 I keep wanting them to realize that they are bringing all of this suffering on themselves. At least they eventually remember who to go to when everything falls apart.
Note in verse 11 where we find Gideon. He is threshing wheat in the wine press. The enemy has stolen or destroyed all the food they can find, so Gideon's family has found away around it.
Verses 12-24 bring me to my knees, and here's why. When the Angel of the Lord first appears to Gideon, he addresses him as "Oh Valiant Warrior." But up to this point, who is Gideon as far as anyone can tell? He's nobody. He's somebody's kid. The youngest of many brothers. We find out later that he's old enough to have a wife and a son, but beyond that, he probably has no wealth, no fame, no inheritance. We also find out later that he isn't even brave! So what could the Lord possibly mean by calling him a valiant warrior?
Here's what I believe. God knows Gideon. He knows who he has been and he knows who he will become. God isn't bound by time like we are. He knows what will happen on any given day, as if it already has. And I believe that's the way he sees us, too. He doesn't see us as what we've done or what we strive for, or the little mistakes that keep us constantly struggling day after day. I truly believe that He sees us for our overall, complete impact in the Kingdom. To me this says, stop worrying about those failures, or who you wish you were, or which talents you wish you had. Allow yourself to imagine, given a whole lifetime, the impact that you could make on this world for the Kingdom. How would the Lord address you?
It's hard to think about, I know. But I have a cool story to help you along. When I was in 10th grade, I was in a Sunday School class with all girls. At the end of the year, our teacher, Cheri S., went around the room telling us what she thought of us. I was nervous when she got to me, wondering what she could possibly say. She looked at me and said, "Anna, you are a mighty woman of God." Alright, in context, I was a 10th grade girl. Not in the least mighty--not really yet a woman. I was kind of embarrassed, too. What in the world could she have meant by that? While I still have no idea what prompted her to say that of me, I have never forgotten it. I have used those words as if they were spoken to me directly from my Heavenly Father. I have striven to make those words true. And sometimes I have failed miserably. But those words have been in the back of my mind every time I've had a victory over my own flesh. Every time I have gotten up the nerve to tell someone I meet about Christ--or persevered with this journal, when sometimes it's the thing I want to do the LEAST--or when I'm able to call out the Enemy head-on and expose his lies in the lives of my friends. I think about those words, and I pray, "Lord, make me that mighty woman in You."
And someday I will be.
Think about your own life. Your own strengths and talents and gifts. Ask God to show you who you really are in Him. Your true Identity. Has He already revealed it to you in some way? Strive for it.
Next time : Judges 6:25-40
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