God Answers
“It’s hard to be confident when we don’t feel qualified, but God wants us to be confident in who He is and that will qualify the called.”
Judges 6:36-40 (NLT)
Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.
Then Gideon said to God, “Please don't be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.
Reflection
As a parent you recognize very quickly how your child processes things. You see what makes them anxious and overwhelmed, and you find ways to help them overcome and find comfort. When my daughter, Nadia, was a toddler, she would get very anxious and overwhelmed when she was tired. She would try to find any solution to her dilemma that didn’t involve rest. And every time, it would just end with her more upset and frantic. A tired, frantic toddler - now that is difficult to deal with!
Nadia could be calmed and soothed, however, by the singing of two specific songs: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “The ABC Song.” If she started to become overwhelmed by something, acting anxious or just plain tired, we could start singing these songs to her, and she would quiet down, take deep breaths, and become relaxed. It brought her peace and comfort. It became routine for us to sing her these songs once or twice at bedtime to help ease her anxiousness. Some nights she would ask us to sing the songs over and over again until she was comfortable. In these moments we never told her “last time” or “no.” We wanted her to always know that she could come to us to comfort her, to ease her anxiousness, and to help her know she was protected and loved. I will never forget her little voice saying “toody, toody” for “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or “ABC” when she just needed her momma to comfort her. These were precious moments that are still cherished today!
I picture God responding to Gideon’s repetitive requests a lot like we responded to Nadia. God wasn’t annoyed. He wasn’t angry or frustrated. He loved Gideon and wanted him to find comfort and confidence in the fact that His presence was with him. Gideon had seen and understood the steadfast faithfulness of God, but he still worried. He doubted himself and his own capabilities for what God was calling him to do. Gideon had seen firsthand the hardship that came with disobedience, but it was hard for him to believe God would choose him to lead the way into battle. In short, Gideon needed reassurance. He wanted to be obedient to God but lacked confidence.
It’s hard to be confident when we don’t feel qualified, but God wants us to be confident in who He is and that will qualify the called. Can you imagine how difficult things must have been for Gideon and the Israelites? They were the enemy of the surrounding nations. Slaves. Weak. History of needing saved. Not warriors. This is why Gideon went directly to God and asked for comfort, peace of mind, and a boost of confidence. Gideon asked, and God responded. God responded.
Maybe you feel God calling you to something that you feel unequipped to handle. God’s desire is to grow you in peace, confidence, and reliance on Him. God was faithful to Gideon, and He promises to be faithful to you, too.
Action Steps
Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for being my strength, my peace, my Comforter. Thank You for not losing patience with me as I seek You for confidence, wisdom, and understanding. I lean into You and all the ways You want to send me. Thank You for never turning away when I come to You. Amen.
Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.
Then Gideon said to God, “Please don't be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.
Reflection
As a parent you recognize very quickly how your child processes things. You see what makes them anxious and overwhelmed, and you find ways to help them overcome and find comfort. When my daughter, Nadia, was a toddler, she would get very anxious and overwhelmed when she was tired. She would try to find any solution to her dilemma that didn’t involve rest. And every time, it would just end with her more upset and frantic. A tired, frantic toddler - now that is difficult to deal with!
Nadia could be calmed and soothed, however, by the singing of two specific songs: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “The ABC Song.” If she started to become overwhelmed by something, acting anxious or just plain tired, we could start singing these songs to her, and she would quiet down, take deep breaths, and become relaxed. It brought her peace and comfort. It became routine for us to sing her these songs once or twice at bedtime to help ease her anxiousness. Some nights she would ask us to sing the songs over and over again until she was comfortable. In these moments we never told her “last time” or “no.” We wanted her to always know that she could come to us to comfort her, to ease her anxiousness, and to help her know she was protected and loved. I will never forget her little voice saying “toody, toody” for “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or “ABC” when she just needed her momma to comfort her. These were precious moments that are still cherished today!
I picture God responding to Gideon’s repetitive requests a lot like we responded to Nadia. God wasn’t annoyed. He wasn’t angry or frustrated. He loved Gideon and wanted him to find comfort and confidence in the fact that His presence was with him. Gideon had seen and understood the steadfast faithfulness of God, but he still worried. He doubted himself and his own capabilities for what God was calling him to do. Gideon had seen firsthand the hardship that came with disobedience, but it was hard for him to believe God would choose him to lead the way into battle. In short, Gideon needed reassurance. He wanted to be obedient to God but lacked confidence.
It’s hard to be confident when we don’t feel qualified, but God wants us to be confident in who He is and that will qualify the called. Can you imagine how difficult things must have been for Gideon and the Israelites? They were the enemy of the surrounding nations. Slaves. Weak. History of needing saved. Not warriors. This is why Gideon went directly to God and asked for comfort, peace of mind, and a boost of confidence. Gideon asked, and God responded. God responded.
Maybe you feel God calling you to something that you feel unequipped to handle. God’s desire is to grow you in peace, confidence, and reliance on Him. God was faithful to Gideon, and He promises to be faithful to you, too.
Action Steps
- Have you ever stopped asking God for something? Why did you stop?
- Take a few moments to seek God’s presence. Ask Him for direction. If you have a particular need or request, be bold enough to ask specifically for God to show Himself in your situation. Keep seeking His presence and ask Him to increase your faith. Look for ways He may be answering your prayers. He wants to grow you and encourage you.
Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for being my strength, my peace, my Comforter. Thank You for not losing patience with me as I seek You for confidence, wisdom, and understanding. I lean into You and all the ways You want to send me. Thank You for never turning away when I come to You. Amen.
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