The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ”The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

Judges 6:11-12

The nation Israel had turned their heart against God and was suffering the consequences. The Midianites had been ruling over Israel’s land for seven years. They would camp out, wait, and destroy crops and livestock that Israel worked so hard to produce. The Israelites so feared the Midianites that they would try and find shelter in mountain clefts, caves, and strong structures. The Midianites made living conditions so unbearable that Israel cried out to the Lord for help.

Gideon, fearful of being caught, took his wheat to the winepress to thresh it without being noticed. While there he was approached by an angel who told him God was going to use him to strike down the Midianites and save God’s people from their oppression.

God was going to answer their prayer through a young boy named Gideon. God saw Gideon’s potential to become a mighty warrior and a great leader. Gideon saw himself as a weak link and powerless, but he had to trust God at His word and believe he could be used by God.

What is God calling you to do?

Dear God, Help me to obey the Holy Spirit when it prompts me to a task I feel inadequate to do. Help me to remember Gideon who became a mighty warrior and saved Israel.

CharityO