Mighty in the Sight of GOD

Have you ever found yourself confronted by a situation that scared the daylights out of you? In fact, the fear became so overwhelming, you found yourself running away from it? I suppose at one time or another, we all find ourselves in just such a situation. And, to make matters worse, we begin to imagine the situation to be much greater than it really is.

What do you do in such a situation? You can only hide from it for so long. Eventually, you must man-up and confront it or spend the rest of your life with it chasing after you—constantly wearing on every fiber of your body—wearing you out physically, emotionally and spiritually. If left to do so, it will eventually destroy you.

Consider the man, Gideon, for a moment. “The Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior’” (Judges 6:12 HCSB). The difficulty in this pronouncement was that Gideon was actually in hiding, fearing for his life from the enemy invaders. But, GOD saw something more in this man. GOD did not view him in the same light as those around him. In the midst of his personal feelings of fear, GOD saw the heart of a mighty warrior.

Gideon responded to the LORD’s call with these words: “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house” (v. 15). His fear directed him to begin spouting out all the reasons why he was incapable of carrying out the work the LORD was calling him to do—all based upon worldly perceptions.

Isn’t it awesome to know that GOD doesn’t look at you the same way the world does? Isn’t it wonderful to know that GOD’s perception of you isn’t based upon the standards of the world but upon what He is capable of doing in and through you if you simply trust and obey Him. It is also exciting to see the hand of the LORD doing great wonders in and through you as you learn to simply submit to His will.

Gideon learned quickly that being a mighty warrior was not something that was based upon his own abilities. His trust and confidence had to be placed in the only One capable of bringing him through to victory—GOD Almighty! As GOD prepared to send him into battle, Gideon gathered together an army of 22,000 fighting men. GOD had a different number in mind. Trusting GOD means trusting Him completely for the victory. The Scripture tells us: “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and hand the Midianites over to you. But everyone else is to go home’” (Judges 7:7 HCSB).

To the world, victory is achieved by amassing great numbers; to GOD, victory is achieved by simply trusting and obeying Him. Fear is perhaps one of the greatest enemies humans confront. It is often deceptive, usually appears greater than it truly is and has the greatest impact upon our lives, if we allow it to. Securing your victory in the face of your enemy of fear begins by trusting in GOD.

Over his lifespan, Gideon was used by GOD to secure victory for the Israelites. He trusted in GOD’s ability and always came out with an overwhelming victory. Today, whatever may be challenging you, trust GOD for the victory!

Scripture Reading: “May the Lord answer you in a day of trouble; may the name of Jacob’s God protect you. May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion. May He remember all your offerings and accept your burnt offering. May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose. Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the Lord fulfill all your requests. Now I know that the Lord gives victory to His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with mighty victories from His right hand. Some take pride in a chariot, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! May He answer us on the day that we call” (Psalm 20 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, help me to learn to always trust in You. When the enemy comes against me, help me to turn to You, to listen to You and to obey Your instructions. Father, when the enemy of fear begins to overwhelm me, help me to look that fear in the eye and in the name of Jesus to pronounce it gone. Father, I want to be a great warrior for You and for Your kingdom. I want to tear down idols and false doctrines and evil spirits by the power of Your name and the truth of Your Word. Help me to carry this out…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!