Gideon…A Believer in a Family of Unbelievers…

 

So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."—Judges 6:15

Oh Father, keep me small in my own eyes. Let not the foot of pride come against me.  Gideon was the least in his poor family and of an undistinguished tribe, but God, who sees the heart, chose Him.  Gideon was also a believer in a family of unbelievers, but his courage brought His father back to You...the One true God. Give me this kind of courage as I face my enemies both within and without and may others see the grace You give me and turn their own hearts toward Yours.

I think what the Lord says to Gideon next is good for each of us to remember.

And the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man."—Judges 6:16

Who am I?” Gideon asked in verse 15.

“That’s not the issue,” the Lord says in verse 16. “The question is: Who am I, for I will be with you. And that is all you need.”  

Beloved…Meditate on that today. Our God is the God who not only makes perfect that which concerns us, (Psalm 138:8) but also the One who performs all things for us (Psalm 57:2) as we surrender ourselves into His care.

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--

that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.—1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Give to the LORD glory and strength.

Give to the LORD the glory due His name;

Bring an offering, and come into His courts.

Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!—Psalm 96:7b-9

A bruised reed He will not break,

And smoking flax He will not quench;

He will bring forth justice for truth.—Isaiah 42:3