Devotional - April 26, 2004

If I were to say Gideon's name and ask you to tell me the first impression you have, most people would say "fleece." That's because he is known for asking the Lord several times to confirm his promise via demonstration on a piece of wool.

In the same way it's normal to think of fleece when thinking of Gideon, it also normal to make a wrong assumption concerning the event. You see, many make the mistake of thinking Gideon was testing the Lord's will by asking him to demonstrate it, but Gideon was actually seeking assurance of God's promise to him, not His will. God made His will known to Gideon quite distinctly, but the young man God called "mighty warrior" needed assurance because He didn't feel mighty enough to do what God asked.

I find encouragement in the fact that before Gideon got the assurance he needed, he did what any of us would do. He did God's work under the cover of the night sky. Not because we're ashamed as much as he lacked confidence. But after he got the assurance he requested, he took bold action and confronted the enemy head on.

That's the way I feel everyday. Just this morning as I was praying before composing this devotional, I asked God to speak through me because I didn't want this to be just another take on Scripture to massage someone's passing fancy. I want to be used any way God is pleased, but I don't want to do it in my strength.

God told Gideon, "Go in the strength you have." (Judges 6:14) God was not telling him to use his own strength to fight, but rather allow the power of God to be his strength. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul told the young Christian church the same thing: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Vs. 4:13)

Are you still serving God by cover of night? By the world's philosophy, that's OK, because serving him a little is better than not serving him at all. But if the Angel of the Lord came to you today while you were sitting down resting and said, "The Lord is with you mighty warrior," would you do it in the light of day? Or would you ask Him to prove something that He's already proved through His Holy Spirit and His word?

You already have enough assurance through God's word. He will strengthen you and He will win! But if you never go, you'll never know, will you?