Gideon was well acquainted with fear. He was hiding from his enemies when God came to him. He felt weak and ill-equipped when God laid out the plan.
Save Israel from the hand of Midian… – Judges 6:14
Gideon considered himself the lowest of the low in terms of potential warriors for the Lord. It seemed that God was really scraping the bottom of the barrel on this one. All he wanted to do was hide and survive.
It’s a tempting way to live – hide and survive. But, when God calls you out, it is no longer a satisfying way to live. Even when the task at hand seems far more than you are capable of – especially then.
God looked at Gideon hiding from the world and called him a “mighty warrior” while he was still hiding. Knowing how God viewed him gave him the courage to step out and choose more for himself.
It’s tempting to stay within the comfort and familiarity of these walls. In a way, I hide from the enemy. And, the more I stay tucked away inside my safe place, the scarier it seems out in the world. Everything in me wants to simply hide and survive. Yet, I feel God pulling me.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of something and follow a crowd. That’s what happened with Gideon. God called him to save his people and all of the people gathered as if they were prepared and willing to help. Until God gives them an out.
Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead. Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. – Judges 7:3
Here’s your chance. If you want to give in to your fear, you can go home. And 22,000 did just that. The first people eliminated from being a part of what God was about to do were those who lived as slaves of fear.
Then comes one of the best verses in Scripture.
And the Lord said to Gideon… – Judges 7:4
Why is it one of the best? Because, after 22,000 men had fled from fear, Gideon was still standing beside the Lord awaiting his next instruction.
Gideon was not going to go home. In fact, he was going to face the very enemy he had been hiding from when God first came to him.
I don’t know about you, but I want to be a part of what God is doing. I want to be counted among those who stayed to fight.
*******
Have you ordered your copy of Devotions from the Front Porch? If not, it is on sale on Amazon for less than $10.00! Hop on over and get one. Also, if you have already ordered one, please take just a moment and leave a review so that they will keep it in stock.
*******
Happy Monday, my friends!
Stacy