The God Who Meets Us Where We Are

From The Great God of Gideon series.

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

I had mentioned that I used to think of Gideon as a bit of a “loser” (I know, harsh!) and an example of “what not to do.”  In that frame of mind I would have summarized the main points of this passage this way:

Gideon is hiding from some bullies that are oppressing his people by trying to harvest wheat where they will not find him – below ground level in a winepress.  There an angel of the Lord appears to Him and tells Him that it’s time to stop hiding and go fight the bullies.

But that’s if my focus is on Gideon, if I look instead of what God is doing I might see this…

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.

God meets Gideon right where he is at.

Hiding.  Afraid.  Weak.

Hmmm.  That’s probably enough for me to think on for today.

Praise 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.

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