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As I have spent time this week preparing for my 2nd of 3 consecutive Women’s Conferences, which I am speaking at, I was struck by some lessons to be learned from Gideon.
Last week, I shared the 4 steps to regret free living, but the question that I posed, was: Have you ever laughed at God? Not in the, “oh God you’re so funny,” hahaha way. But more in the, ‘I can’t believe you asked me to do that way. I think you asked the wrong person. Do you even know who am I am God?’
As I was reading Judges 6-8 and the life of Gideon, I was struck by this little tidbit hidden in the commentary section. It was in reference to the excuses Gideon was making instead of believing God and His promises. In the NIV Life Application Study Bible it said:
“Like Gideon, we are called to serve God in specific ways. Although God promises the tools and strength we need, we often make excuses. But reminding God of our limitations only implies that He does no know all about us or that He has made a mistake in evaluating our character. Don’t spend time making excuse. Instead spend it doing what God wants.” [1]
As you read the story of Gideon, in Judges 6: 1-17 God is giving Gideon his marching orders. The task is specific: Save Israel from the Midianites. God promises to be with Gideon, and He also promises to give Gideon the needed strength to overcome the opposition.
Hey, it’s a win – win for Gideon. I mean, if God calls him to it, He will surely see Him through it. Right?
Well, in my mind and maybe in yours too, it’s the way we see it … that is, until we are standing in the same place as Gideon and then it’s “US” that God is giving a specific task to do. Then, it’s not so easy. Right?
As I read the commentary notes, I was struck by how my laughing at God, reminding Him of my shortcomings, and even questioning God in disbelief is really an excuse. Ouch!
Judges 6:12-18
12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”
14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
17 Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.”
And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return.”
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he called Gideon by a title, a name that was who he would become!
Basically, the angel of the Lord was calling out Gideon’s destiny long before he was even told what his task would be.
Gideon, didn’t even address the mighty warrior portion. Nope, he skipped right over that portion and went straight to the woe is me mode, and his feelings of the moment.
Tweet ThisI am all alone, all these things are happening and I don’t see God anywhere, let alone with me. Sometimes, I too am like Gideon, and I can get caught up in my feelings and the woe is me mode. Do you ever do that?
When we get focused on our situation and circumstances, we often miss the very encouragement and heart of God for us.
When the angel shows up, he speaks Gideon’s destiny!
He calls out the answer to all Gideon’s and the Israelite’s feelings and presenting problems.
Gideon couldn’t see anything other than his own limitations and weaknesses.
When God shows up on the scene and calls out my destiny, I don’t want to see my limitations and weaknesses. I don’t want to make excuses. I want to hold on to the promises and believe.
In the beginning Gideon failed to see and therefore failed to believe that God could work through him to save the people. God had a purpose for Gideon
God has given each of us a purpose. The gifts and talents He has bestowed upon us, are so that we can serve Him and the body of Christ.
You see, God makes beautiful things out of us, and our shortcomings. He provides the tools we need for each task He has called us to. When he calls out my destiny, I want to grab a hold of it. I want to obediently move forward, in His power and His strength.
No More Excuses! Are you with me?
How are you called to specifically serve God?
What name is God calling you today?
Has He called you by a name that you don’t recognize? If so please feel free to share with us, so we can agree with who He is calling you to be.
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[1] NIV Life Application Study Bible Page 389 verses 6:14-16 commentary section
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Debbie, I love that you wrote about Gideon. His story was my reading just a few days ago. I love how you remind us of the easier said than done thing! Because of course while I’m reading I’m thinking just like you… Rise up man of God, the Lord is with you! But when I’m in the same scenario, I’m thinking “No way am I doing this! You picked the wrong girl!” Love this post today. Thank you for sharing!
Alisa – So glad you stopped by today and that you enjoyed the post. I am constantly arguing with God telling Him, “He chose the wrong girl!” but in the end He always wins and I end up so blessed for doing what He asks of me. Have an awesome day.
This is such an encouraging word, Debbie. Thank you 🙂
thank you Lyli and thanks for stopping by 🙂
Such encouragement and good things to remember from these verses! Thanks for joining us at #FridayFrivolity!
Lisa – thanks so much for stopping by
Great post, Deb. Thank you. We don’t necessarily know where God is leading us but we know the One who is leading us. Blessings to you!
Mari-Anna – Thank you so much. You are right, We can always know Who is leading us even though we don’t know where we are going. Blessings to you as well.
Ouch! I’m good at giving excuses and laughing at God–thank you for the reminder to check my attitude.
Anita – I was saying ouch, as well as checking my attitude, so please know you are not alone. Blessings
Oh me, questioning God’s call = disbelief. Lord forgive me. You stepped on my toes today. Should I say thanks? Yep, definitely, thanks!
Your neighbor at Testimony Tuesday,
Carmen
Carmen — you are welcome – hopefully the toes stepping was gentle and not a stomping 🙂 So glad you stopped by.
I needed to hear this today and so glad I”m next door at #testimonytuesday! God is calling me to do big things, and I’m perplexed and overwhelmed at times by it all..and surely need this message today and faith that God is going before me to pave the way and bringing me helpers and strength. Blessings! A wonderful reflection on Gideon!
Kathy – I am so glad God orchestrated us being neighbors so that you would be encouraged today. You are a mighty woman of God and He has great things for you to do. He will most definitely provide the help and the strength you need as you take one step forward at a time. Blessings
I’ll have to admit, I have zero idea what God has called me to. I’m just doing what’s in front of me. The next thing. Over and over.
Nice blog! I’m here from Holley’s.
Cynthia – There are a lot of people that are in the same boat of not knowing what God has for them…Gideon was just doing what he needed to do to survive and God appeared and gave him, his assignment. A friend of mine and I were speaking at a women’s retreat this last weekend and she said when she asked God what He had for her, He asked her “What’s your passion?” It is often the things we are passionate about and that involves our purpose. Thanks for stopping by today.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I think for me it is so easy to look down at Gideon because he had direct conversation with God and He still doubted. But what is more amazing is that I have more ways to connect with God than he did and I still make excuses. I am something because of the connections I have with Him. That is something I need to hold onto during those times I limit myself. thanks again for stopping by : )
Kristina – you are so very welcome and thank you as well for stopping by here. I too am hard on Gideon for his doubt and fleecing God, but in my own ways, I do the same thing. Have an awesome day.
Awesome post, Debbie! I definitely understand the woe is me moments. Thanks so much for sharing this encouragement with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
Thank you Kelly. I think we all have experience those woe is me moments, don’t we? Thanks for always stopping by to leave an encouraging comment.
Debbie, thank you for this!!! A timely reminder for me and something I think so many women need to hear. You message holds hope and freedom! I’d love for you to share it on my Fresh Market Friday link-up.
Crystal – Thank you so much!! That is so my heart to bring hope and freedom to others as they read what I share. What a blessing your words are to my heart. I will most definitely check out your Friday Link-up! Thank you for the invitation to do so. Blessings upon you.