Bible Reading Blog
“Confident in Weakness”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Judges 6
“And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’…” (Judges 6.13)
Gideon was the youngest son from the weakest clan. When the enemies were near, he was hiding. When approached by the angel of the Lord, he questioned and cowered. Even after being called by God, he was scared to act publicly. Not exactly the face of someone you would expect to be the next leader of the people.
Fast forward a short time and this same man would tear down the idols in Manasseh, lead Israel to victory over the Midianites, and lead the people for 40 years. Based on the initial picture we have of Gideon, I wouldn’t have guessed he was the man for the job. But we’ve seen from Hebrews 11 that faith is not defined by conventional wisdom or worldly standards. Instead, it is deeply rooted in trusting God.
That’s what we see in Gideon. Despite his faults and fears...
Gideon knew about God. The nation was in a God-forgotten period (Judges 2.10), but his family hadn’t forgotten God. They recounted God’s wonderful deeds in Egypt, which had an obvious impact on Gideon’s life and belief (6.13). This information prepared him for his encounter with the angel and encouraged him as…
Gideon acted in faith. He tore down the altars just as God had instructed. He culled his army down to 300 and followed God’s battle plan. Sure, he had some concerns, but he didn’t shrink back or make excuses.
We must never underestimate the power we have to prepare the next generation. The efforts of Gideon’s fathers to tell him about Egypt impacted Gideon even though he saw a very different world. It motivated Gideon to look for God to work and trust him more deeply when his world seemed to be going to pot.
Future generations need to know how dependent we are on God. But more importantly, they need to know the power of having God on their side. Throughout these events, God encouraged and supported Gideon. God gave him a new identity (Judges 6.12), supported by God’s presence (Judges 6.16). God patiently responded to Gideon’s request for confirmation. At every turn and in every weakness, God was present to help Gideon do what he had been called to do.
We can have this same confidence. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46.1). God is near the broken-hearted and humble (Psalm 34.18, James 4.6). “When the righteous cry out, the Lord hears them and delivers them out of their trouble” (Psalm 34.17). But notice these are all predicated on humble submission to the power and prerogative of God.
I relate to Gideon a lot. I don’t see myself as a person of significance or extraordinary talent. I have concerns and doubts about my own abilities. When things get hard, my natural inclination is to hide. I know my failures and limitations very well. But I also know the God I follow. He has been strong, dependable, and consistent for his people in the past. He makes good on his promises, and he supports those who faithfully walk with him. Despite my insufficiencies and weaknesses, I am confident God will be with me if I walk in faithful obedience. Let us hold fast to God in hope and flee to him for refuge in our times of strength and weakness.
