Lessons learned about God in Gideon’s call narrative:
(1) God often calls the weakest and the least (to draw us back to Himself)
– The divine rationale: “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ (Judges 7:2)
(2) The call always comes with a promise
– “God is with you, O mighty warrior!” (6:12)
– “Go in this strength that is yours. … Haven’t I just sent you?” (6:14)
– “I’ll be with you. Believe me, you’ll defeat Midian as one man.” (6:16)
– God made good his promise: The Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon … (6:34)
(3) God will guide through baby steps
How we can respond to God’s call:
(1) God often calls the weakest and the least. Be available.
(2) The call always comes with a promise. Look for evidence of His Presence.
(3) God will guide through baby steps. Take one step of faith.
Reflective questions:
- Has God been calling you to embark on a journey that is much bigger than yourself?
- What is holding you back from answering the call?
- Why should you be enslaved by fear when you could be living out a divine calling?
- Why should you keep calling yourself a no-body when God has called you His child?
- Will you make yourself available?
- Will you stop looking at the odds of failure and start looking for evidence of His Presence?
- Will you take one step of faith, and see where it will take you?
