DEVOTION – DAY 278

Judges 6:14-16 “The Weak To Shame The Strong”

 

Judges 6:14-16 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

 

Israel was oppressed by the Midianites who regularly raided the land. Gideon feared the Midianites and so, he was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it away from the Midianites. In vv14-16, the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon to inform him that he had been called to deliver Israel. Gideon’s reply revealed his unbelief and surprise by telling the angel of the Lord that he was unworthy. His clan was the weakest in Manasseh and he was the least in his family. His response was similar to other reluctant prophets like Moses and Jeremiah who also thought they were unworthy of the calling. They failed to realize that God often chose the lowly rather than the mighty to act on His behalf.

 

The Bible has many examples of people chosen by God who were often least favored. Yet God used them powerfully for His purposes. Examples included David, Moses, Joseph and others. In choosing the weaker ones to carry out His purposes, God’s glory is more clearly revealed as the weak triumphed over the strong and powerful. Then, it is clear that the weak could only triumph because God is behind them.

 

A man came from a broken family background. He was at one point, in the worst class of his year. His prospects were not promising. He ran far from God and thought he knew better what he wanted to do in his life. Reading the Bible was furthest from his mind. Yet, God had plans for him. God chose him. God drew him close and caused him to want a relationship with the Living God. God gave him a desire to want to read the Bible. God used him to impact the lives of many for God’s glory. Like Gideon, when God called him to serve Him, this man gave many excuses why he was unsuitable for what God wanted him to do. But God reminded him that He will use the weak to shame the strong. God would be his enabler.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, your ways are not our ways, your thoughts are not our thoughts. Thank you for always knowing better than we do what is best. Please help us to be willing to fall in with your plans for us always and to give you all the glory. We humbly pray this in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Why do you feel inadequate and reluctant when you are called to serve the Lord?
  2. When you answered God’s call to serve Him, how has God helped you to fulfill the tasks you had to do? How have you given Him the glory?
  3. How has this devotion encouraged you to serve the Lord even though you may feel that others are better qualified to do the task?