 April 7, 1999
LIFE & WORK:
An obedient heart in
the hands of God is enough
___ Judges 6:11-16, 20-24, 33-35; 7:19-21
___By Doug Riggs
___Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Bedford
___Lions and tigers and bears, O my! Such is the common reaction for many of us when we face difficult situations. The truth is you cannot always choose your circumstances, but you can always choose your response. In the next few weeks we will focus on how to turn negatives into positives. The ability to live victoriously through faith in spite of circumstances marks the obedient follower of Christ. The example of Gideon teaches principles to transform fear into faith.
___ Refuse to focus on circumstances (Judges 6:11-13). Hebrews 11:32 places Gideon at the top of the list of judges. However, his beginning in God's service  was less than stellar. God's angel found him at the winepress hiding his crop from the enemy Midianites. When the angel announced that God was with him, Gideon responded incredulously (v. 13). Circumstances certainly did not point to God's presence. Israel had suffered bondage for seven years from Midian. God's mighty acts in history seemed mighty remote. God had abandoned them. This wasn't true, of course, but that's how we feel when we focus on circumstances rather than God.
___ Listen to God's assurance (Judges 6:14-16). Gideon was a farmer rather than a trained warrior. Not only that, he viewed himself as the least of the least (v. 15). He failed to understand that God alone makes a majority. The angel instructed Gideon to enter battle with no more than the strength he had (v. 14) along with the assurance of God's presence.
___God often uses us because of our weakness rather than in spite of it (v. 7:2). When we are convinced that we are not qualified, we rely solely on God's ability. The only question is whether or not we will accept God's commission.
___ Accept God's encouragement (Judges 6:20-24). Gideon is famous for asking for reassurance from God through signs (vv. 36-40). A strong faith requires nothing more than God's word, but many of us need encouragement. God provided the reassurance in v. 21 by creating fire from the touch of a simple shepherd's staff. At that point Gideon knew for certain that he had seen God's representative face to face (v. 22). The result was a peace that surpasses all understanding (v. 24). When God speaks to us, he will speak in an individualized way so that we are certain of his word. Gideon built an altar in memory of the event. Likewise, we must forever remember God's reassurance.
___ Respond in faith (Judges 6:33-35; 7:19-21). On the heels of Gideon's call, the enemy gathered with increased strength. Certainty of God's word became even more essential. Gideon responded by calling his kinsmen to battle (vv. 34-35). God thinned the army down to a ridiculous size (vv. 7:2-7) and then gave them an unlikely strategy for battle. Gideon used trumpets, jars and torches to lead Israel to victory.
___God doesn't need much for victory. He only needs a willing heart. When we understand God's call and have the assurance of his presence, we can say, "Lions and tigers and bears, so what!"
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