Scripture: Judges 6:14-22 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."
Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.”
And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return.” Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.
The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. Then the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!”
Devotional: In yesterday’s devotions, we saw the angel of God appear before Gideon, proclaiming God’s presence with him, and addressing him as a mighty warrior. Gideon’s response in today’s passage reveals the view that he had of himself when God affirmed him. His response is not unlike Moses’ response to God when he was commanded to lead the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt: “Who am I to do this?”
Do you ever find yourself in the same posture? Who am I? Why would God want to use me? I’m a nobody. I don’t have credit.
If you’re a follower of Jesus, be reminded today that you are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) You are not what you were, and you’re not what you will be. You can be assured that whatever God asks of you; He will equip you to accomplish.
Gideon’s first response to God is one of unbelief, asking for a sign, so he might believe. And God graciously revealed himself to Gideon by burning up the sacrifice Gideon offered. What a great reminder for us today of God’s grace in the midst of His calling in our lives. He works with us – our weakness, our doubts, and our fears. The question is, will you work with Him?
Reflect:
- What view do you tend to have of yourself, particularly when it comes to being used by God?
- How does Gideon’s story encourage you?