| “And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him (Gideon), and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” – Judges 6:12 |
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| God’s Greatest and Best Promise The story of Gideon is a very compelling story to consider as God will take the ordinary and do extraordinary things with him. If we really probe into the early life of Gideon, we might even say that God took a person who was less than ordinary and did the extraordinary. We know that Gideon himself did not think he had what it took to be used by God and we know that family and friends did not see much in him. But GOD did see something in Gideon, seeing more than Gideon saw in himself and more than others saw in him. While Gideon, nor friends, or family, would have picked Gideon for a top assignment, God picked him. And God used him, using him to a level in which Gideon lived up to the name God gave him, a mighty man of valor! Maybe you are like Gideon as you look at yourself and as you evaluate yourself, comparing yourself to others and you don’t see how you can truly make a difference for the Lord. Maybe you hear the voices in the back of your head of statements made by others that cause you to believe YOU WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING. And then it seems out of nowhere God comes in and calls you to do what seems impossible. What will you do with His call? Do you listen to yourself? Do you listen to others? Or do you LISTEN TO GOD and what He is saying? Over the years of my ministry, I have had to opportunity to work with so many who immediately said “I can’t” to God’s calling. As I hear their “I can’t” I point them to the story of Gideon and give them Judges 6:12. In this verse two life-changing statements are made to Gideon. It is in this verse that God defines Gideon. Gideon is in the sight of God a mighty man of valor. God has always seen more in a person than the person sees in themselves! It is in this verse that God gives Gideon the greatest and best promise Gideon would need as He tells Gideon “I am with you.” God promised Gideon His presence. When we speak of God’s promises, I believe that the greatest and best promise ever is the PROMISE OF HIS PRESENCE! Pause to ponder how those two statements impacted Gideon. Ponder hearing “THE LORD IS WITH YOU!” What do you think that meant to Gideon? Ponder hearing an evaluation of being called a MIGHTY MAN OF VALOR! What do you think that meant to Gideon? How does the statement from God “I am with you” impact your life and what God has called you to do? Verse to DATE the Word on June 12 (6/12) is Judges 6:12. It says, “And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him (Gideon), and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Continue Strong standing on the promise of promises from God, And remember to DATE the Word |