Introducing Gideon, the Mighty Hero

When I speak about the fear of inadequacy, I often refer to Moses as a prime Scriptural example. But move over, Moses! Make room for your friend Gideon.

Judges 6 tells how Gideon was threshing grain in the winepress to avoid being caught by the marauding Midianites when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. “Mighty hero!” he said. “The Lord is with you!”

Mighty hero?

I wonder if Gideon did a double-take. In any case, the Lord then gave him a special mission: “Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”

I’ll bet our mighty hero did more than a simple double-take when he heard those words. Perhaps Gideon nearly choked before stammering, “But Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”

Can you see his knees quake? Can you hear his voice tremble? The fear of inadequacy had nearly consumed our friend. Who me? I can’t do what You’re asking me to. I’m the least of the weakest. Please, choose someone else.

God’s reassurance

I love God’s simple response: “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

That’s the same promise God gave to Joshua and Moses, and more. “I will be with you. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not. Just go in the strength you have and do what I’ve called you to do. I will be with you, and that’s all you need.”

Are you facing a God-given task or dream that looks utterly impossible? So impossible, in fact, that you hesitate even mentioning it to a friend lest you look like a lunatic? So impossible that you’ve brushed it off as a crazy thought, one that’s not worth pursuing lest you erase anyone’s doubts about your mental well-being or lack thereof?

If it’s God-breathed, then do it. Take the first step. Believe God for the impossible. Go ahead, be a mighty hero.