“Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?” Judges 6:14
Dear Ones:
In Psalm 107, the Psalmist writes concerning the goodness of the Lord. He does so in regard to men who find themselves to be “in trouble.” In their distress, they are brought to the end of themselves, and their own resources. Their circumstances are insurmountable, and their suffering is acute. It is then, concerning four different sets of circumstances, that the Psalmist writes: “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble,” and He delivered, saved, or brought them out of their distresses. The answer of the Lord to their cry went always beyond what they could have imagined with regard to the blessing of God. God would do this for many reasons, but first and foremost, was that the people might again choose to be rightly related to Him, worshiping Him alone. This He would do in His goodness, for it is the only true place of blessing and life.
In the days of Gideon, the people again found themselves in very difficult circumstances, as the Lord had given them over into the hands of the Midianites, who oppressed them greatly. Forced to live in dens and caves in the mountains, they cried unto the Lord. The Lord would first send them a prophet to show them clearly WHY they were in that position. “And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God, fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but you have not obeyed.” (6:10) Then the Lord would CALL a man, who would be used by Him to save them from the Midianites. The call of Gideon would follow the cry of the people to God. The calling would result in the CONQUERING of Israel’s enemies. The conquering would only be by a work of faith accomplished in the heart of Gideon, and a small band of followers with him.
Gideon’s call began with a revelation. Scripture tells us that an angel of the Lord came, and “appeared” unto Gideon. Twice Gideon responded to what this angel of the Lord told him, by addressing him: “…Oh my Lord.” Gideon must have seen and known that this was no common man before him, but one that was “godly,” even having the authority of God. God must have opened his eyes, like He did for Abraham, to recognize that there was something Divine about this man, this angel of the Lord. Why is this fact so very important? It is because of the authority that comes with everything He tells Gideon. For example, the first thing He tells him is: “The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.” (6:12) These words would have little effect except that they were spoken with an authority and power that were not from natural man. Secondly, with that same voice of authority, the angel says to Gideon: “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?” (v.14) Again, in the words of this angel of the Lord, there is the evidence of divine authority which gives meaning and power to what He is declaring to Gideon. As a result, Gideon is called to believe and obey these words. Lastly, after Gideon tells the angel that “…my family is poor,” “…and I am the least in my father’s house,” the angel responds by saying: “Surely I will be with thee, and you shall smite the Midianites as one man.” (v.16) With the declaration of these words comes the promise that is GOD who is speaking.
The cry of the people came when they were brought to their limit. It was a cry for mercy, as was the case of those examples in Psalm 107. The cry resulted in the calling, first of a prophet who sought to bring the people back to God, but also, of a deliverer, who would come and set them free from their servitude and oppression. Gideon would conquer because he was called, confirmed by God, and committed to God.
Dear Father, Hear our cry, and call us forth to conquer…today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad