"Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you." 1 Samuel 12:24
Every Christian wants to be useful to God. But let's face it. . . He is God and, well, we are us. How could we possibly be useful to God? This is especially true when you consider our limitations, past failures and doubt. In the mist of your doubt, I wonder if you have met Gideon?
His story starts in chapter 6 of Judges with talk about the evil that his people (Israel) did in the sight of the Lord. Yes, that's right. This is the same group of people that were in Exodus as God brought them out of Egypt and into the promised land. Fast-forward. As a result of their evil, they were handed over to Midian by God. They were being greatly oppressed by Midian and basically starved to death. So when they hit bottom, they cried out to the Lord. Now Gideon was busy trying to provide food for his family when an Angel of Lord appeared. Please note: He was very busy. He had great family responsibilities.
The Angel said to Gideon, "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"
The first thing Gideon had to overcome was doubt. His reply was, "“O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” Did you note the doubt? Did you note the lack of understanding that their own sins were responsible for their troubles?
If you go on and read about Gideon, you will find that God showed His power and miracles to him on several occasions in really big ways. Little by little, Gideon is obedient because of the faith God grants him. Finally, it is time to defeat the Midianites. Now you would definitely think that by this time Gideon would have tremendous faith in God. But if you doubt and have great fears in what the Lord ask of you then you are not alone. For the great Gideon who even made into God's hall of faith was allowed special assurances.
"It happened on the same night that the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand. 10 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, 11 and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp. " Judges 7:9-11
Basically God said to him, I am going to do this. Let me show you so that you might move forward in faith.
So you see, there is no excuse. If you have limitations. . . "For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
If you have past sins and failures. . . "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "1 John 1:9
Is doubt stopping you. . . "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil." Proverbs 3:3-5
God won battles on Gideon's behalf. Gideon was given the opportunity to participate because of faith. It is only your faith that keeps you from being used. God is able! "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17
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