Gideon For Our Time part II

It was as Israel approached the promised-land near the conclusion of their journey (called “the Exodus”), that Gideon is first introduced to readers in the Book of Judges chapter 6.  Consumed by doubt and fear because of hard times, Gideon is found hiding from Israel’s opponents, the powerful Midianites, down in an underground wine press so as not to be detected.  Ironically, at his summons to lead Israel into battle (where it is promised that the LORD will prevail), the angel of the LORD calls him a “mighty man of valor.”  All the same, Gideon resists that call by means of a protest of his own weakness.  Finally, after witnessing the power of God, Gideon relents and submits to the LORD’s call upon his life.  When the battle becomes immanent, the LORD commanded Gideon to pare down his already inferior army by releasing every soldier who was fearful or indifferent to the outcome, in order that that they could return to their own homes.  With that dismissal his army was reduced by two thirds.  As the LORD boasted, “The people are still too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, ‘My own hand has delivered me’” (Judges 7:2).  To bring to a close this lengthy account, against all human odds, Gideon’s army witnessed the routing of the Midianite army.

The account of Gideon is a paradigm of how God typically works across history.  God often allows His people to be placed into circumstances where our personal inadequacies become evident.  Then He calls us to trust in His providential working for the purpose that His power alone is celebrated.  The Apostle Paul writes, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God, and not us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).  This past Saturday (May 18) our congregation had the privilege of hosting “Mission U,” an evangelism workshop sponsored by the Lutheran Hour.  It was a wonderful, helpful experience.  One consistent theme highlighted in the material is that it is the Holy Spirit who is doing His powerful work.  We get the privilege of being His vessels.  The keynote speaker, Pastor Dave Haberer from New York City, reminded us of the powerful story of Gideon in the Old Testament.  This story is a powerful reminded for our own time that we belong to the powerful Triune God who calls each and every Christian to yield to His gracious working in and through us for the advancement of His kingdom in our time.  It is His power, not ours; for the purpose of His glory, nor ours: in the participation in His mission in our world at this very time.  Let us yield to His gracious and exciting invitation.