This Sunday we are going to look at Gideon. You can find his story beginning in Judges 6. Plenty to look at here, but let’s focus on the early part of the story. Gideon’s call.

Here are my early observations:

1. 6:10 Listen to God  I know it’s not every time, but how often have you found yourself in a big problem, maybe even one that lasts for 7 years and it’s because you didn’t listen?  Why don’t we listen?  How does complacency slip into our lives?  Is it because we start to think we are so independent?  I guess there are lots of reasons.  Which ones can you think of?

2.  Gideon seems to be kinda brash.  I observe and the Bible tells us right up front in the story what the problem is.  The Israelites did evil.  Yet, Gideon has the audacity to ask why things are going wrong.  I guess sometimes in the middle of a problem we don’t see so well what’s causing it.  Sin has a way of blinding us.

3.  Be careful about complaining to God or asking why unless you are prepared to be part of the solution.  Gideon wants to know why God has not acted for them in the mighty way He has for them in the past.  He doesn’t realize that God is about to and that God is going to use him.  In fact, Gideon resists the idea.  We all want great things done and we are willing to watch it happen.

4.  “The Lord is with you mighty warrior.”  Couple of observations about this.  One is that God can see great things in us that we cannot.  Mighty warrior is prophetic.  This is what God is going to make out of Gideon.  We need to ask ourselves what God is going to make out of us.  We need to look at others and imagine what God can do with them.  Weakness is not a problem with God.  In fact, He revels in using weakness.  The story of Gideon is all about weakness and God doing something great in the middle of his weakness.  The other observation is this:  in the midst of weakness and vulnerability the one thing we need to remember is that God is with us.  He is there even when it is not obvious or clear.  He is there and is getting ready to do something great.

5.  Go do what you are supposed to do.  It will be scary.  Gideon tore down the altar at night and I get the impression that he was in hiding the next day.  It was his father who had to confront the crowd and turn them away.  Do not let fear keep you from doing what you should.

These are some thoughts to start us out.  Let me know what insights you see in this story.

Barry