“Now on that same night the Lord said to Gideon, “Arise, go down against their camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down [by yourself], go with Purah your servant down to the camp, and you will hear what they say; and afterward you will have the courage to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the army that was in the camp…When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down in worship. Then he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the camp of Midian into your hand.””
Judges 7:9-11, 15 AMP
The story of Gideon is one of my favorites. It is such a wonderful story and just the kind I like – an underdog turned hero.
G-d called Gideon a mighty man of valor (6:12) – another translation says “a brave man” – even though Gideon was the youngest and smallest in his house. G-d looked at the heart and potential of Gideon rather than his physical abilities or stature.
Still, Gideon was doubtful and afraid. The passage above touches me in a deep way – specifically how G-d dealt with Gideon’s fear.
G-d wasn’t angry that Gideon was afraid and He wasn’t surprised. He just spoke to it. He told Gideon to go, and He allowed Gideon to hear the truth of what would occur. As a result of Gideon’s obedience, G-d turned Gideon’s fear into worship, and he became a true man of valor – wisely and courageously leading a small army of 300 men into battle.
So often I fear things because of the story I’ve created in my mind over a situation or because of how I see myself. G-d loving speaks to my fear as he did to Gideon’s – go, with a trusted friend if you must, face your fear, and listen to what I, Adonai, have to say.
Sometimes He sends me a friend to walk with me when I’m afraid. Sometimes He sends me a dream to speak to me when I am afraid. Sometimes He asks me to go when I am afraid and sometimes He asks me to just listen. But always He lovingly confronts my fear and brings me through it.
The antidote to fear is His truth, and when I hear His truth, my heart turns to worship.
I believe we are in a season of G-d calling His people to come out of hiding, tear down the idol worship in our lives, and stand for His truth. We may be afraid to answer, but He promises to go with us, beyond our fears, and positions us to worship Him in spirit and in truth, free from the fear of man.
Father, You called Gideon a man of valor – not because of how he saw himself but because it was Your truth about Him. Speak to me Your truth about me and the situations I stand before that I fear. Give me ears to hear Your voice over the noise in my mind. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Judges 6-7