The Strength You Have

Reading: Judges 6-7; Psalm 17; 1 Corinthians 14 13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” 14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” 15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:13-15 NLT) There’s a lot going on in the story of Gideon and God’s assignment for him! Once again Israel had turned to idol worship, and God had released the Midianites on them to get their attention, and to turn them back to himself. Turning his people back to himself is always God’s intent! God sent a prophet to confront them in their sin. Then God’s angel came to Gideon and commissioned him to lead the Israelites to victory. It was all too much for Gideon, who had been hiding from the Midianites in the bottom of a winepress, after all! Gideon had several questions – they seem like legitimate questions to me – that God didn’t bother to answer. Instead, God told Gideon, “Go in the strength you have. I am sending you!” I see some things here that apply to you and me:
• God came to Gideon when Gideon was working to put food on the table. Gideon was fearful, but at least he was doing something! We can at least be doing something helpful while we’re waiting for God to show up!
• God commissioned Gideon to deliver his people from the Midianites. This assignment was way beyond anything Gideon could imagine himself doing. The real task God has for you and me is way beyond our own imagination or capability.
• God told Gideon to go in the strength he had. You’ve got to start with what God has already given you. The most important step is the next step! The most important thing to do is simply the next thing God says to do! Prayer: Father, I want to fulfill your plan for me and for those you have chosen me to help and influence. But I have questions! I acknowledge my fears and I know my own limitations. Today I purpose to “Go in the strength I have.” I purpose to take the next step of obedient faith! The rest is up to you. Amen.