Beth Grider In his first inaugural address, Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief, that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself…”
Fear itself…FDR was referring to the reactions of fearful people. Fear causes people to react in unusual ways. The Great Depression caused a great deal of fear and fear drove people to do whatever they deemed necessary to feel safe and protected. And, it still does. Roosevelt further identified fear itself as “nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” God transforms the fearful into mighty warriors!
During most of Moses’ leadership, the Israelites allowed fear to lead them down a path of unbelief. But later, during the time of the judges, we see strength in the midst of fear! Despite his fear, Gideon allowed God to lead him! When the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he was “threshing wheat in the wine vat in order to hide it from the Midianites” (Jdg 6:11). Even while he was hiding and fearful, the Angel of the Lord spoke a transformational truth over Gideon. He said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Jdg 6:12b). At this point there was nothing mighty about Gideon. He reminded God that his family was the weakest in his tribe and that he was the youngest in his father’s house (Jdg 6:15). Gideon’s fear led him to a time of questioning God and requesting signs as assurance that God would be with him (Jdg 6:17, 36, 39). And guess what…God in his goodness gave Gideon the confirmation that he needed to keep fear from taking lead. God is trustworthy and He gave Gideon the courage that would make him an obedient warrior. Little by little, Gideon served and obeyed the Lord. When God told him to tear down the altar to Baal, Gideon was afraid, yet he obeyed. “…But because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it in the daytime, he did it at night” (Jdg 6:27b). Gideon was afraid of his family and community, but he obeyed. And, with each act of obedience God strengthened him for the next task. Despite his fear, Gideon trusted God and God had a plan to deliver the Midianites into Gideon’s hands.
Before the battle, God told Gideon that they were going to slim down the army and interestingly the first group that God had Gideon send back home were those who were “fearful and trembling” (Jdg 7:3). God explained to Gideon that He would win this battle with just three hundred men.
“That night the Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go into the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go to the camp, go with Purah your servant’” (Jdg 7:9-10). God knew that the mighty warrior, Gideon, was afraid and the fear was confirmed as he took his servant into the camp with him. God allowed Gideon to overhear a Midianite man telling his friend a dream and the friend’s interpretation. The men determined that God had handed the Midianite camp over to Gideon and this gave Gideon the last ounce of courage he needed to go into battle.
God doesn’t necessarily call the equipped, but in His gracious love and power, He equips the called. Gideon was hiding when he was called mighty warrior, but God knew the he would be transformed by the presence and power of God. And, God can do the same for you. When you bring your fear to God and trust Him, He can transform you into a mighty warrior!
I would love to hear from you:) When have you been fearful, but recognized God’s strength in the struggle?
What an awesome reminder of how God can use us if we just step out on faith. Even though we are afraid God will continue to reassure us and strengthen us for the task at hand!
Yes, we get to see God’s strength most clearly in our weakness:)