Gideon

This week as we continue with our theme of faith I want us to consider Gideon. I love this story of God's "mighty man of valor" who was threshing wheat in the winepress to hide from the Midianites (Judges 6:11-12).

God called Gideon to go to battle. Judges 6:14, "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?" So Gideon did what any of us would do, he rallied the troops, 32,000 strong. God told him
he had too many men. Judges 7:2, "And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, "My own hand has saved me.'" God had him send home those that were fearful, and two-thirds (22,000) of the men left.

The Lord told Gideon to have the men go to the water and drink, and the 9,700 that knelt down to drink were sent home. That left Gideon with 300 men to do battle against, "all the people of the East, (who) were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude(7:12).

Do you think Gideon "felt" like he could win? Do you think Gideon knew how the Lord was going to give them the victory? Do you think Gideon's knees weren't knocking? How do I know Gideon was fearful? In Judges 7:10 God said to him, "But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the
camp with Purah your servant, and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp."

What lessons can we learn from Gideon?

Stop hiding, God will find you anyway.

Obedience is not based on our understanding of the circumstances.

Obedience is not based on lack of fear.

Obedience often requires faith.

Obedience brings glory to God.

Diane