When Dad Has My Back

Judges 6:14… “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” This week, we begin a multi-week look at the judgeship of Gideon. Our initial view of Gideon focuses on his calling by God to deliver Israel from Median's oppression. Gideon was happy to hear about the deliverance, less excited about being God's choice for him to lead the charge.----------Gideon makes the same mistake that we sometimes do. We hear the first part of God's commands and miss the second part. He lets God know his lack of credentials… weakest clan in the tribe of Manasseh (a half-tribe, in fact)… least standing in his family. He asks the seemingly obvious question, “How can I save Israel?”----------You see, Gideon heard the “go in this might of yours” and missed the “do I not send you?” So the Lord doubles down and reminds him, “I will be with you…” God is essentially telling him and reminding him, “Don’t worry so much about who YOU are, try to remember who I AM.” God commits to a promise of His presence with Gideon—something that has been absent from the nation of Israel for seven very difficult years. What is he asking in return? Obedience from Gideon first and foremost and then, by extension, the entire nation of Israel.----------It is the story woven throughout the book of Judges--God brings deliverance to His people even when they don't deserve it and even in situations where they don't feel worthy or qualified to accomplish God's purpose.