With great fear

In the Bible, we meet numerous individuals who, despite their fears and worries, decide to obey God’s commands. Gideon is one of these people. In the book of Judges, we first learn about Gideon, the weakest man from the smallest family from the smallest tribe. The story of Gideon illustrates a strong example of how a person can act in faith even when filled with fear and facing seemingly insurmountable odds. The story of Gideon is one that always inspires me especially when it feels like I’m in over my head and the proverbial dragon is breathing down my neck.

Gideon lived during a time of great trouble. The Israelites were being oppressed by the Midianites for ~ 7 long years. Coming from a humble background, Gideon was probably the last person, one would think, God would select to save his people. God did choose Gideon to deliver His people from their oppressors. He picked the runt of the litter, the tiniest of specks to do the job. When the angel of the Lord came to  Gideon, he logically expressed trepidation. Quite frankly Gideon was scared out of his mind. Gideon’s reaction of uncertainty revealed his lack of faith in God’s calling and in himself. He doubted his own abilities and saw himself as wanting, not as someone who could defeat an army.

Gideon required signs of confirmation before he was going to step out into the unknown. I know I probably would have done the same thing. I would have asked so many questions that the Angel would have been like “ God, can we just get the dude from down the street because Quis ain’t it.” Gideon eventually mustered the courage to assemble an army of over 30,000 men to face the Midianites. Apparently, Gideon had some clout or there was something about him because there is no way 30,000 men will follow someone that they didn’t think would cut it.  However, God had other plans, and that many extra soldiers were not in his plans. He instructed Gideon to decrease the size of his army. The ones that were scared were told to kick rocks. Still too many men. There were some that were exhausted and lapped up the water like dogs. He told them “Don’t let the doorknob hit you where the good Lord split you.”   The size of his army eventually dwindled down to 300 men. Sounds kind of familiar doesn’t it, like a Hollywood movie. The whole time Gideon is thinking he is possibly hearing God wrong because how is 300  hundred going to take on tens of thousands maybe more.

Even though Gideon was being obedient he was quaking with fear. God saw this and understood that Gideon needed some assurances. The night before the battle, Gideon by himself wandered around and came upon some Midianite soldiers. He overheard their conversation and to his surprise, his small band of soldiers were stressing the Midianite army out. He was still afraid but Gideon steeled himself to do what had to be done.

The next day, Gideon divided his army into 3 groups of 100 hundred and gave each one a jar of oil and a shofar. A shofar as I just have found out is a horn. Now why couldn’t they have just said a horn? The 3 groups surrounded the enemy. At a set time they screamed out, blew their horns, and started lighting torches. The Midianites heard the den and thought a large army had set upon them. The Midianites were so confused they began eliminating each other. The 300 were winning, take that, Gerard Butler. Gideon sent for the men of Ephraim, another tribe of Israel who was the equivalent of that friend you call when you know it’s about to go down. The leaders of the Midianites were captured and killed.  They just lost to the smallest man of the smallest family of the smallest tribe.

Gideon’s faith and obedience were rewarded as God granted him a resounding victory over the Midianites. The story of Gideon lets us know that if God has given you a calling no matter how big or scary he will be with you.  Gideon’s initial reluctance morphed into courageous action and dogged determination that won the day.

1. God equips the hesitant: God doesn’t need to use the biggest, strongest, or smartest. He knows what is in you and if he calls you to it you have the equipment to get the job done.
2. God’s ways are not our ways: this one I feel like I have heard my entire life. Look at the story of Gideon. He thought he needed the 30,000+ soldiers to beat the Midianites but God said nope. All that was needed was 300 men and faith. 
3. Overcoming fear through faith: The story of Gidon is about one man overcoming his crippling fear and self-doubt to take down an army. Gideon just had to trust in God and step in that ring and good things happened.

Gideon’s story serves as an inspiration and an example to those of us who feel called to do something that seems greater than what we are capable of. This story reminds us that faith and courage are not the absence of fear, but the willingness to trust and obey even when fear is present and the obstacles seem insurmountable.  By embracing the lessons from Gideon’s life, we can find the strength to overcome our own doubts and fears, knowing that God is with us wherever we may go.