Chapter 207 of 1163

JUDGES 6

Gideon was an unlikely candidate for God’s “Hall of Fame” (Heb. 11:32). When God called him, he was hiding. When God spoke to him, he raised problems instead of trusting promises. One of his favorite words was if (vv. 13, 17, 36; Mark 9:22–23). When Gideon did start to obey God, he worked at night (v. 27) and had to have repeated reassurance that the Lord was with him.

But God saw the potential in Gideon and even called him a “mighty man of valor” (v. 12). God sees the potential in you and says to you as He did to Simon, “You are . . . You shall be” (John 1:42). He knows your weaknesses and will accommodate Himself to your needs so that He might develop your faith.

For a man with a worried heart, “The-Lord-Is-Peace” was just what he needed (v. 24). You can enjoy God’s peace today as you fight the battle (Phil. 4:4–9).

“Putting Out the Fleece”

“Putting out the fleece” (asking God to do some special thing to verify His will) is evidence of unbelief and not of faith. God stooped to Gideon’s weakness and did what he asked, and He may do that for you; but this is not the level on which God wants to meet you. Immature faith needs signs for reassurance; mature takes God at His Word and obeys.

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