[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 03/Nov/2024]
This month in our sermon series we’re looking at the story of Gideon. When we feel overpowered, outnumbered, or just plain overwhelmed, it can be hard to find the courage to keep going. In the Bible, we see many stories of God’s people facing impossible odds. One of the most striking examples is Gideon, a man who saw himself as anything but a warrior, yet was called by God to lead Israel to victory over the mighty Midianites. Gideon’s journey from fear to faith gives us a map for finding courage in the middle of our challenging circumstances.
When we first meet Gideon in Judges 6, he is hiding, threshing wheat, fearful that the Midianites will steal the harvest. His fear is understandable—Israel had suffered under Midianite oppression for seven years. Gideon feels insignificant, even saying, “My clan is the weakest… I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15).
Yet God addresses him with a powerful name: “Mighty warrior.” God saw in Gideon what Gideon could not see in himself. God doesn’t measure our strength by our position or reputation. He sees beyond our limitations and speaks to the potential He has placed within us. For us today, if we feel weak or inadequate, we can remember that God sees us as capable of far more than we realise.
But Gideon wasn’t convinced right away. He asked God for a sign—which helps us see that we don’t have to be unafraid but simply trusting in God to do as he asks us to. Gideon also had his army reduced significantly in number, which again helps us to know that God wants us to be ready to do things ‘His way’ not ours, which might mean we end up doing it quite uncomfortably from our perspective. Yet, God is faithful to his cause and us, and we will see Him deliver what he has promised.
In our own lives, we might feel overwhelmed by circumstances, whether in our personal lives, work, or especially wherever we feel called to be serving God. Like Gideon, we’re reminded that God doesn’t expect us to have all the answers or resources. He simply asks us to trust Him and to take the next step in faith. When we do, He gives us the courage we need, filling in where we fall short.
So, let’s work through Gideon’s story when we’re feeling small or afraid. God perhaps calls each one of us “Mighty Warrior” not because of our strength but because of His. If we accept God in our lives, we, too, can face overwhelming situations with courage and find victory in Him.
Resources:
[1]
Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.
Bible dates:
Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.
Horley Baptist Church onlineHBC main site
Confidential prayer link
Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
Last Sunday’s reflection: The State of Our World by Helen Ruffhead
Contributed by Dazz Jones; © Dazz Jones