January 16, 2023
Melissa Valerio
In the last post, we talked about fear. Holy fear versus earthly fear and what the bible says about God’s protection over His children. Let’s continue the conversation….
In Judges 6, we meet Gideon. Gideon is an Israelite living in the times of Midian oppression. Israel had strayed from God and worshiped other gods, so the Lord allowed them to live their own way apart from Him. As a result, Midian came in and overruled Israel, destroying their food and livestock, causing the Israelites to run away and live in caves in the mountains. After 7 years of this oppression and only after the Israelites called on God for help, did God send them a helper. Gideon.
When we first meet Gideon, he’s secretly threshing wheat to hide it from the Midianites so they don’t take it away. The Lord greets Gideon here in the winepress, calls him a valiant warrior, and ensures He is with him. Gideon asks God “How can You be with us since all these terrible things are happening?” God replies “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:13 NIV) Wow, what a calling! To lead the Israelite army in battle against Midian. But Gideon was a scared puppy! Three times he tested the Lord with signs because he wanted to be extra sure he was hearing from the Lord and not just imagining all of this on his own. And three times the Lord was patient enough to prove Himself to Gideon. He even tried to convince God that He had the wrong person. He reasoned that his family was the weakest of all clans and that he himself (Gideon) was the smallest, weakest man in his family. But of course, God wasn’t convinced. God said, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” (Judges 6:16 NIV) What a proclamation from God Himself! Look at the promise of God — I will be with you.
This promise is echoed all throughout the bible:
Fear not, I am with you – Isaiah 41:10
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go – Joshua 1:9
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you — Deuteronomy 31:6
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid — Psalm 118:6
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him (the Lord speaking) — Psalm 91:16
See the theme in all these promises? The promise is that God will never leave us. He will go through all these things with us. He will protect us, guide us, shelter us, strengthen us, and go before us in every situation in life. The One person who holds everything in His hands — the sun, moon, stars, planets, and everything within in them, secures us in His protective hands when we are faced with fearful situations. He is the One that has ultimate control over everything, including trials and hardships that come into our lives. But don’t forget the promise that is closely tied to this one — Romans 8:28, which says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” So even if our worst fears come true, God has promised to use it for good. How? I don’t know. When? I don’t know. I just know that I know that I know, He will.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we come to you in the strength that we have. You see our hearts and understand the timidity of them. You know that oftentimes when we’re threatened with some kind of loss or uncomfortable change we clam up or seize in fear. I think it’s because we get used to life and the comforts of them and when something bad, or even just change in general happens, we automatically resist it. But sometimes it’s this very change that is intended to be part of our sanctification process. You, Lord, promise to be with us through it all. And You promise to use everything in our lives for good. Thank You for Your patience with us, and give us more of Your strength, to make up the difference. In Your blessed name, Amen.
Action: Fear is a choice. Your heart reacts to what your mind is thinking. When those intrusive feelings of anxiousness, worry, and fear start creeping in, remind yourself of God’s promise that He is with you. Turn your thoughts to His goodness and faithfulness in your life. Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (NIV) Remind yourself of all the ways He’s been faithful to you. Bury yourself in scripture and feed yourself more of His promises. He has never failed you in the past, and He never will.
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