Then the Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian; I hereby commission you.’ He responded, ‘But sir, how can I deliver Israel? My clan is the weakest of Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’ The Lord said to him, ‘But I will be with you…’ (Judges 6:14-16)
Have you ever felt like your tasks were bigger than your abilities, your responsibilities greater than your competence, or your challenges beyond your experience?
If so, then God’s words to Gideon in today’s scripture may be helpful.
When the Lord came to Gideon, the Israelites were in great trouble. They had just been defeated and conquered by the Midianites. Their land was being wasted, and their crops were being stolen.
In these dire circumstances, the Lord tells Gideon that he needs to deliver Israel. Gideon looks at his capabilities, and then he looks at the Midianites’ power, and says to himself and then to God—No way. He protests that he’s the least, the smallest, the weakest.
But then God says, “But I will be with you.”
Trusting the Lord’s promise, Gideon says yes, and with the Lord at his side, Gideon and the Israelites do prevail.
Does life ever dole out more than we know how to do? Yes. Do we sometimes think we aren’t capable of doing what we need to do? Yes. Are we sometimes overwhelmed with our challenges? Yes.
So, what’s our hope? Our hope is the same as Gideon’s. Our hope is in the Lord, and with the Lord, at our side, we can face down whatever challenges or obstacles we may have.
If we’re ever feeling like we don’t have enough smarts, gifts, energy, background, abilities, or power to do what we need to do, I encourage us to remember Gideon.
Just as the Lord’s presence gave Gideon the power to overcome huge challenges, so with the Lord at our side, we can do the same. It doesn’t matter if we feel like we’re the smallest or weakest. All that matters is that our God is the greatest and strongest and that with the Lord, we can prevail.
Reflection Questions:
- Like Gideon, have you ever felt like you didn’t have the goods, smarts, or abilities, to deliver or do whatever was before you? If so, when and what were the circumstances?
- Like Gideon, have you ever felt like the Lord’s presence and power helped you to do what you couldn’t do on your own? If so, when and what were the difficulties?
- Do you have some Midianites—some huge challenges—that are causing you to doubt your strength or abilities? If so, what would help you to know that just as the Lord was with Gideon, so He will be with you?