When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12
I had a medical checkup scheduled, and although I’d had no recent health concerns, I dreaded the visit. I was haunted by memories of an unexpected diagnosis long ago. While I knew God was with me and I should simply trust Him, I still felt afraid.
I was disappointed in my fear and lack of faith. If God was always with me, why was I feeling such anxiety? Then one morning I believe He led me to the story of Gideon.
Called “mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12), Gideon was fearful over his assignment to attack the Midianites. Although God had promised him His presence and victory, Gideon still sought multiple reassurances (vv. 16−23, 36−40).
However, God didn’t condemn Gideon for his fear. He understood him. On the night of the attack, He assured Gideon again of victory, even giving him a way to assuage his fears (7:10−11).
God understood my fear too. His reassurance gave me the courage to trust Him. I experienced His peace, knowing that He was with me regardless of the outcome. In the end, my checkup was uneventful.
We have a God who understands our fears and who reassures us through the Scriptures and the Spirit (Psalm 23:4; John 14:16−17). May we worship Him in thankfulness, just as Gideon did (Judges 7:15).
8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.
Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9 During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands.e 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12 The Midianites, the Amalekitesf and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts.g Their camelsh could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.i
13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”
14 His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash,j the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”
15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped.k He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”l
INSIGHT
- What fears or challenges are you facing?
- How does it help to know that God is with you and wants to help you?
At the time of the events in Judges 7, Gideon was still an obscure figure. The Midianite army had heard nothing of his military prowess, for he hadn’t yet accomplished anything. The angel’s words back in Judges 6 were key to his eventual success: “The Lord is with you” (v. 12). The enemy soldier’s dream and its interpretation were also direct evidence of God’s intervention in the life of His people Israel (7:13–14). But every step of the way, Gideon struggled to believe it. At last, upon hearing his name on the lips of the enemy, he gained full confidence (v. 15).
PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for not condemning my fears, but always reassuring me of Your presence. Help me to turn to You when I’m afraid and trust in You. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Judges 7:8-15 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Haggai 1-2; Revelation 17
