Now the angel of the LORD came and sat under the oak at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Midianites. The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, "The LORD is with you, you mighty warrior." Gideon answered him, "But sir, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our ancestors recounted to us, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has cast us off, and given us into the hand of Midian." 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 in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The LORD said to him, "But I will be with you, and you shall strike down the Midianites, every one of them."Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the east came together, and crossing the Jordan they encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. But the spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon; and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.
The Lord answered, "I will be with you."
-Judges 6:16 (NIV)
-Judges 6:16 (NIV)
Take a risk and see what God can do through you.
It is easier not to take risks, but life is empty if you always play it safe. It seems that Gideon had a very distinct conversation with God and that it should have been easy for him to be bold, but even in this instance Gideon questioned his own abilities and the strength of his clan.
How often do we have "inspired" ideas that are not acted upon? We think of every reason why not to be bold. Why not seek to find the faith to ask "why shouldn't I do this, what is there to really stop me?"
Pray it: Lord, help me to act on the inspired ideas that you bring to me. Help me to be bold and to listen to the small still voice that you use to guide me. Amen.
Do it: I will seek the Lord, walk in his presence and start practicing being bold.
Meditate on it: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, seek not your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will direct your path. Proverbs 3: 5-6
