Judges 6c - Facing Doubt and Fear

Let's face it: God does not always call us to the easy life. Living for the Lord can be difficult. Certainly His calling on our lives is contrary to the world's ways, but sometimes it is contrary to our own. It seems God takes pleasure in using a weak vessel for mighty acts. So it is with Gideon. Gideon has shown himself to be very meek and afraid, the son of an idolater. He has been pitted against his own people, yet God protected him. Now God asks him to face off against a much stronger enemy, Midian. Gideon would have preferred a life without conflict, but God had another plan.  

Starting in Judges 6:33, we see the story of Gideon's fleece. Gideon wanted to be very sure he heard the voice of God correctly. We see that the Spirit of God comes upon Gideon almost immediately after the Israelites had gathered to kill him for destroying the altar to Baal. Gideon blows a trumpet telling the people to follow him. He also sends messenger throughout Manasseh, Zebulun, Naphtali and Asher calling them to battle. He sounds sure and in charge before the people, yet while in his private time with the Lord, he is unsure and afraid. 

Gideon asks God to perform a miracle to assuage his unbelief. He asked that God would wet the fleece he leaves on the floor and keep the ground dry. By that sign he would know that God intended to use him to save Israel. In the morning when God fulfills his request, Gideon doesn't just accept the miracle and take action. He requests a second miracle in which God would keep the ground wet but the fleece dry. 

God does not encourage us to seek signs of His presence or confirmation of His  word, but in this case God was gracious and gave Gideon his requests. God takes pleasure in using weak vessels because there is no doubt who should receive the glory in the end. A weak vessel in the hands of God is strong indeed. God gives us both His Word and His Spirit to guide and direct us as His vessels in the world increasingly hostile toward the gospel. We have specific commands however to shine our light before men so that they can know that God offers salvation to all and that you are His and therefore cannot stand with the worlds ways. We are on temporary assignment here on planet earth. Our true home is in Heaven. We are called to be bold and obedient to the Lord. When we have fears and doubts He is gracious, but we must not dwell in our fear because God has given us His Spirit to accomplish His mission here using weak vessels. 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him  and as you serve Him.