By Mark Proctor
Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia
Focal Passage: Judges 6:11-16, 25-32
My wife Cynthia once was arranging a table decoration in the house and asked me, “Is this okay?” It seemed a silly question because no one on the planet is less qualified to approve table decorations than me and she knows it. I’ve had a full decorating bypass. So how do we respond when asked to do something for which we are so clearly unqualified? We cower; we make jokes; we question the sanity and purpose of the one asking us in the first place. Quickly turning to glance behind me as if she were speaking to someone else, I replied to Cynthia, “Are you talking to me?”
That’s what Gideon said to the angel of the Lord who said to him, “Go … save Israel from the hand of Midian” (Judges 6:14). “Me? You’re talking to me?” Then Gideon proceeded to explain to the angel why he was misguided in selecting him, the youngest member of the weakest family in the tribe. It’s human nature, this desire to disqualify ourselves because of something we perceive is lacking. In Gideon’s case it was flimsy faith.
God’s response was consistent with what He had told Moses and Joshua throughout Israel’s journeys: I will be with you. Go, forget what you don’t have and focus on what you do. You have me. That’s enough.
Our focal passage tells us that Gideon finally went along with God’s plan — Gideon verses Midian — but what a rocky obedience it was. Gideon, the man whom the angel found trying to hide from the Midianites, timidly did as the Lord commanded under the cover of darkness, afraid of the reactions of his family and friends. He had obedient actions but a semi-faithful, fully-fearful response to an almighty God.
Before we become too judgmental of Gideon, let me simply say, “me too.” The enemy often stands strong in my face and God’s Word tells me clearly that God will never leave me or forsake me. Yet I move ahead cautiously, timidly — only semi-faithfully — that God will win the victory. What a wretched man am I. Should I not know by now that God designed me, including the weak parts? And my weaknesses are not an excuse to avoid difficult duty but a reason to praise Him when He is victorious in spite of them? Should I not remember His Word tells me that in my weakness He is made strong?
Friends, the strength and courage to face the future isn’t found in our abilities; it is found in our willingness to praise God because He wants to partner with us anyway. Gideon had no ability to defeat Midian just as I have no ability to decorate tables. But the one who does asks for my buy in not to gain my expertise but for the joy of fellowship and the joy of victory together.
