…Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man’
In the time of Gideon, the Midianites had terrorized the Israelites for seven years. They raided the country, destroyed the crops, and stole their livestock. Their land was ravaged, and the Israelites were impoverished, forced to live in caves and mountains.
When God introduces us to Gideon in Judges 6, he is threshing wheat in a winepress. Usually, an Israelite threshed wheat in a wide, open space, but Gideon was lying low, hiding out from the Midianites in a pit dug into the ground.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared and announced, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Gideon must have looked over both of his shoulders, tapped himself on the chest, and asked, “You talkin’ ta me?” He did not hesitate to voice his doubts aloud.
How could this be true? If God was with them, why were these things happening? Where were the miracles they had heard about from their fathers? He was certain that God had deserted them. He blatantly declared that he was the weakest, least likely person to deliver Israel. He was not convinced. His eyes were closed to the possibilities. His faith in God wavered after so much suffering.
Perhaps you find yourself in a situation like Gideon. The enemy has attacked relentlessly, assaulted your health, waged war against your marriage, or even carried off your children. Your faith is eroded. Lying low, you long for deliverance.
When we met him, Gideon was not a warrior. He was a wimp and a whiner. God, however, looked beyond the pit and saw the potential. He had handwritten Gideon’s destiny with victory. When God opened his eyes, Gideon recognized the truth: God plus you make a majority. When God pressed a torch in one hand and a trumpet in the other, Gideon discovered that God equips you with the weapons needed for battle.
Whatever your situation, know this: God drafted a plan for your life before you drew your first breath. He lovingly wove in valor and victory. He created you with purpose and talents for your particular battles. Look up, mighty man and woman of valor! Climb out of the pit. Put on all the promise, potential and power of the plan God designed specially for you. He will provide the weapons of your warfare and send allies to fight beside you. God is with you, and His plan never fails.
Blessing:
Invincible Father, thank You for the beautiful plan You drew up for my life. Open my eyes to see Your purposes. Equip me to walk in them. I surrender to Your will for me. Remind me that I never stand alone or undefended because You are with me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Today's Bible Reading:
Old Testament
Numbers 8:1-9:23
New Testament
Mark 13:14-37
Psalms & Proverbs
Psalm 50:1-23
Proverbs 10:29-30
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