“But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian.”
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?”
“But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.”
Did you see what just took place in the above passage? The Lord gave Gideon the name MIGHTY WARRIOR! Ok…sure…big deal, you might be saying. There were lots of warriors in biblical days. Right you are! But, Gideon had not yet served in one single battle! You see – God is calling Gideon by the name that He’s making him into. He sees Gideon differently than Gideon sees himself. To Gideon…he’s weak, “the least”, a simple wheat thresher and certainly NOT a mighty warrior. However, in Chapters 7 and 8 – Gideon takes on that name God has given him – He becomes that mighty warrior, as he and 300 men (only 300 men!!!) defeat the torturous, ravaging bullies – the Midianites! There was no human way possible Gideon could have done this with just 300 men. But, God was with him, just as He promised. God gets the glory for this victory that resulted from a man that simply stepped out in faith and took God at His Word.
Friends…I feel much like Gideon. The names that I sometimes place upon myself aren’t God-honoring and certainly NOT the names God has given me. I look at my life over the last 40 years and see a mess…disappointment after disappointment, and this most recent tragedy with Chris’ death seems to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. But God…
God keeps revealing to me that this “mess” I keep referring to is going to be THE thing that brings him the greatest glory out of my life. That actually scares me to death. What’s He going to require of me? What’s He going to ask me to do? Doesn’t He know that I’m the modern version of a “simple wheat thresher”?
But, I know one thing…He’s already given me the same promise He gave Gideon thousands of years ago… “I will be with you…”
He’s already told me it’s time to speak again, because I have a NEW story to tell. By faith, I’ve prepared my topics, I’ve listed my availability on my website, I’ve shared with certain groups of people that I’m back “in the saddle again”, and now I wait. But, I wait WITH God, because He promised me, “I will be with you…”
He’s also told me to keep writing. He’s given me a pretty big project to work on. By faith, I’m doing the research, I’m quizzing those that have gone before me on a similar path, I study a lot, and then I wait. But, again, I wait WITH God, because He promised me, “I will be with you…”
There’s something else I believe He’s calling me to do. Something that really scares me to death. Something that I’m not quite ready to share on this blog (until I’m done throwing out all of my fleeces, that is). But, if at the end of this time of prayer and fasting that I’m about to enter into, He tells me to still do it…then, once again…I will obey, and I will wait on Him to direct my steps, because He promised me, “I will be with you…”
God has also given me a new name…one that I have yet to feel the effects of just yet. But, if God says it…I believe it. What’s the name He’s given me?
He calls me…RESTORED! What name has He called YOU?
Leah,thanks for being transparent and giving a living example of a ” living walk with Christ” where there is obedience even after pain. Excited to see what the Lord has planned for you! You already know because he’s told you once already! 🙂
Romonda – Thank you for your sweet comment! Transparency (while scary at times) has been a very healing thing for me, and I pray it is for others as they follow my journey.
This is the 3rd time recently that the story of Gideon has been brought to my attention. I can SO relate to him and also to the character Much Afraid in the book “Hinds Feet in High Places”. So glad you are getting direction from God as to when and what you are to do, Leah.
Candy – I can’t tell you the number of times God has led me to this passage in Judges. Each time I study it, I get more nuggets of wisdom from it. I’ll need to get that book you’re referring to (sounds like a reference to Habakkuk 3:19 – another place in the Word I’ve spent a lot of time). 🙂
Leah, I am so proud to be your friend, as I see your courage to step out in faith as you listen and answer these callings the Lord is setting before you. You are an amazing women as you walk this journey in the Lord;s strength. God has given you many gifts! You bless us so much as you share them and your life with us! Thank you for that!
Renee – you humble me with your precious words. Thank you for being such an encourager. Some days, I have doubts that I can do this “thing”, but the rights words of encouragement come along at just the right time and gives me strength to keep charging ahead! Thank you!
Ah, I LOVE “but God” statements!! 🙂 That’s what I live in each day! You are such a BLESSING to so many! I will be praying for you as you embark on these new “adventures”. Can’t wait to hear about ALL of them. I just KNOW that God is going to use you in MIGHTY ways for Him, AND that Chris is SO VERY PROUD of you! ♥
I love you girl and I, too am so proud to call you friend!
Sheila – Sweet lady…I’m SO proud of you and how you’re “tackling” your own widow journey with such grace during these very early months. Keep trusting in Him – the author and perfecter of our faith!!! He’s perfecting yours mightily especially now! I l love you bunches and am so thankful God crossed our paths through A Widow’s Might! Thank you for your sweet comment!
Love you, Leah. I’m so proud of you.
Awww! Thanks girlie! I love you bunches and am so thankful to have my “Pinkdaisyjane” friend! 🙂
Hi Leah. This is a beautiful post. I love Gideon too because, like Nehemiah (whom I also love), God took him from one completely different situation and lifestyle to another. My life appears to be full of mess, but God is challenging me to go it alone, live for Him, while also raising my daughter. Tough times, but He is with me, like with you. Keep strong and keep smiling!
Paula – Yes – isn’t Gideon quite the guy? And…good point about Nehemiah too! I think when we’re at our “messiest” – God is at his finest! He can take the mess and make something absolutely wonderful and glorifying to Him out if it! Keep giving it to Him sweet lady! He wants ALL of it! 🙂