The God Who declares the truth about us

From The Great God of Gideon series.

It might be helpful to read Judges 6:1-12 (click here) before you go on.

Last time we paraphrased this passage this way:

God sends one of his angels down to meet Gideon when he is overwhelmed and afraid.  He meets Gideon right where he is – hiding in a winepress as he tries to harvest some food.  His people are starving because a rival nation is oppressing them.

And we praised the God who meets us not when we have it all together, or we have things all figured out… but when we are alone, afraid, overwhelmed, and weak.

Today I am struck by just one phrase in one verse…

12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 (NIV)

Did Gideon seem mighty to you?

Even when Gideon protests the angel does not change his message.  Is it possible that where we see weakness and failure, God sees a “mighty warrior?”

And who is right?  Am I right when I look at Gideon and see, gulp, a “loser?”  Or is God right when He calls him a mighty warrior?

When I take a moment to reflect about why I called Gideon a loser, I discover one reason is because when I am afraid, lonely, overwhelmed and weak I feel like a loser.  I feel like nothing is possible.  I feel worthless.

But when God meets Gideon in this moment, He sees beyond the present Gideon.  He sees what Gideon is capable of.  If we remember, God formed Gideon.  He knew him before he was born.  He ordained all Gideon’s days before one of them came to be.  (Psalm 139)

God knows us, too.  We were each his idea.  He knows the truth about us… the real truth.  The truth yet to be revealed to us as we are healed, transformed and empowered by His spirit. 

What is the truth about us?  What does God call you and me?

·  More than Conquerors (Romans 8:37)

·  Overcomers  (1 John 2:13-14, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:1-5)

·  Dearly Loved (Ephesians 5:1-2, Colossians 3:12)

·  Ministers of the New Covenant that HE has made competent (2 Corinthians 3:6)

·  Chosen (Ephesians 1:4)

I’m excited as we continue in this passage to see if Gideon remains hiding, weak, and afraid – or if He grows into the mighty warrior God has said He is.

Praise the God who sees the truth about us, even when we can’t see it--especially when we can’t see it--  and calls it out.

Have you ever had anyone in your life that spoke out the encouraging truth when you were in a moment you just couldn’t see it?

 

 

---