Has God called you to a task or mission so daunting that you no longer think you can do it? I spent several years in that place – most of us have. 

You probably already know this, but God doesn’t mind tapping us for tasks that are way beyond our depth. These nerve-racking times are one of God’s favorite ways to mold us into the unexpected leaders for Him that we never thought we could be—maybe never even wanted to be. 

Gideon was a man like that. His nation was occupied by hostiles. The believers prayed. And then it happened as it usually does: God decided to send a man. The angel of LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:11–12). Gideon was maybe the most unlikely man in the entire Bible to be a “mighty warrior” and lead an army. And Gideon would have agreed.

In fact, he tried to get out of serving God. He was having enough trouble just making ends meet from day to day. “‘But Lord,’ Gideon asked, ‘how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family’” (verse 15). That wasn’t misplaced fear or false modesty. He really wasn’t a likely guy to lead a sophisticated military operation. But God saw something in him that he didn’t see in himself. 

And that’s a good insight into how God makes men: God makes men by turning our weakness into strength in such a striking way that only He can get the glory. 

What happened to Gideon can also happen to us. We see ourselves as we are, but God sees us as we are going to be. God will often use “the weakest man from the weakest clan” so there would be no confusion about who is doing the delivering. 

You may feel you are the weakest man or the most unlikely person—and you might be right. You might be the most reluctant person in the world to do the assignment God gives you to do. But it doesn’t make any difference if God is with you. God and you constitute a majority in any situation. He wants you to know, “I will be with you.” 

So instead of giving up, do this: “Go in the strength you have… Am I not sending you?… Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” (Judges 6:12, 14, 16, 23). Keep the faith mighty warrior, “The LORD is with you.”

Until every church disciples every man…

Pat

(adapted from How God Makes Men)