So often, we focus on the greats of the Old Testament, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jeremiah, etc. Though the story of Gideon is a brief one and appears somewhat insignificant in the overall history of Israel, it is a story most of us are familiar with, and a story with important insight for us as leaders. The story of Gideon, as he puts it himself, is about one who is insignificant. His clan was the weakest of all of Israel, and he was the least in his own family. That may not describe you, but it does speak to the majority of us. Abraham Lincoln once said, "God must have loved the common man, he made so many of them." Well said.
Gideon, though cunning and confident in his own right, doubted God and was fearful of stepping out to lead as God was calling him to do (sound familiar). The task was a significant one. So, Gideon put God to the test and God restored his faith...at least for a time. Each time Gideon was presented with a new challenge, he became fearful and God had to do it again. I am thankful for Gideon's story, because it is much like my own.
God never told Gideon to do anything more than what he was able. Quite often, when we consider what God is calling us to do, we tend to look to ourselves and become fearful; because, we know we are not equipped to do what He is calling us to do on our own. God tells us as he told Gideon, "Go in the strength you have (Judges 6:14)." That isn't very comforting. I don't have the strength I had when I was younger (okay, again, I am talking about my age). I have back problems, sleep apnea, chronic heartburn, etc., etc. You get the picture. Like Gideon, I have lots of reasons that God should be calling someone else. He simply says, "I will be with you (v. 16)."
That works for awhile until the next challenge presents itself. God tells Gideon that He intends to fight this battle with only 300 men. The Midianites, Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples were "thick as locusts." "Their camels could no more be counted than the sands on the seashore." God continues to show His patience with Gideon and encourages him by showing Gideon that the enemy is even more afraid, and believe themselves that they will lose the battle. Gideon gains confidence and begins to praise the Lord. He leads the army to battle and routs the enemy.
So, what is the lesson in this for us?
First of all, we should never let our "insignificance" keep us from believing that God can accomplish something great through us. Second, when we are afraid and listening too much to our fears and insecurities, we need to go to God for reassurance; rather than allow those things to keep us from doing what we have been called to do. We need to remember that He is with us. Further, we need to recognize that all we need is all that we have, nothing more and nothing less. I counsel individuals often on their feelings of inadequacy and remind them that God wants to work with what we have, and if He needs anything further, He will make provision for that. Most importantly, we need to appreciate that it isn't about us and our ability, so much as it is about us and our availability. God will fight for us, He will cause us to be successful. That way the glory goes to Him and not to us.
Godspeed, Doulos
Gideon, though cunning and confident in his own right, doubted God and was fearful of stepping out to lead as God was calling him to do (sound familiar). The task was a significant one. So, Gideon put God to the test and God restored his faith...at least for a time. Each time Gideon was presented with a new challenge, he became fearful and God had to do it again. I am thankful for Gideon's story, because it is much like my own.
God never told Gideon to do anything more than what he was able. Quite often, when we consider what God is calling us to do, we tend to look to ourselves and become fearful; because, we know we are not equipped to do what He is calling us to do on our own. God tells us as he told Gideon, "Go in the strength you have (Judges 6:14)." That isn't very comforting. I don't have the strength I had when I was younger (okay, again, I am talking about my age). I have back problems, sleep apnea, chronic heartburn, etc., etc. You get the picture. Like Gideon, I have lots of reasons that God should be calling someone else. He simply says, "I will be with you (v. 16)."
That works for awhile until the next challenge presents itself. God tells Gideon that He intends to fight this battle with only 300 men. The Midianites, Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples were "thick as locusts." "Their camels could no more be counted than the sands on the seashore." God continues to show His patience with Gideon and encourages him by showing Gideon that the enemy is even more afraid, and believe themselves that they will lose the battle. Gideon gains confidence and begins to praise the Lord. He leads the army to battle and routs the enemy.
So, what is the lesson in this for us?
First of all, we should never let our "insignificance" keep us from believing that God can accomplish something great through us. Second, when we are afraid and listening too much to our fears and insecurities, we need to go to God for reassurance; rather than allow those things to keep us from doing what we have been called to do. We need to remember that He is with us. Further, we need to recognize that all we need is all that we have, nothing more and nothing less. I counsel individuals often on their feelings of inadequacy and remind them that God wants to work with what we have, and if He needs anything further, He will make provision for that. Most importantly, we need to appreciate that it isn't about us and our ability, so much as it is about us and our availability. God will fight for us, He will cause us to be successful. That way the glory goes to Him and not to us.
Godspeed, Doulos
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