We live in uncertain times, and many of us wonder about the future. What is just around the corner? Is God going to show up in some amazing way? Or are things just going to get more and more difficult for us? And how to do we prepare ourselves in advance for whatever lies ahead?
In fact, there are amazing things ahead for those who are ready and willing to go with God. And there’s a pattern in the story of Gideon that I want to draw attention to. It may help us understand what is going on today, and recognise where we might need to make some adjustments in order to keep in step with where God is taking us.
Gideon
1. The challenge of fear
When Gideon enters the story, we find he has tried to do a “disappearing act.” He is hiding away in a winepress, endeavouring to thresh wheat in a place that wheat is not meant to be. He is coping with a bad situation the best way he knows how, but that’s all.
Fear will do that to a person. It will shut you down and put you in a place where you ought not to be. Maybe you have experienced something like this yourself? You will think you are doing well if you are only just coping. But it ought not to be that way. So let’s see what answers we can uncover from the story of Gideon.
At the beginning of Judges 6, we find the reason behind what is happening. At the core, it was a spiritual problem. Israel “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (verse 1), and that opened the door for oppression. It allowed the Midianites (which means “strife”) to camp on Israelite land and ruin their crops (verse 4). Midianite domestic routines were allowed in and brought destruction and corruption (verse 5). They emptied the Israelite land of all it had (verse 6). Can you imagine what that would have been like?
God even sent a prophet to tell the people why things were the way they were (verses 7-10). But it seemed most people weren’t prepared to listen.
But God doesn’t leave us in that state. One very ordinary day, “the angel of the Lord” came and sat down under an oak tree in the territory of Manasseh (verse 11). God had turned up – although at this point Gideon didn’t recognise who this person was. This seated messenger reveals himself to Gideon, saying “The Lord is with you, mighty man of valour.”
Gideon’s response shows that he assumes what is happening in the land is God’s fault. He doesn’t realise the problem was not the Midianites – it was spiritual in origin. And it needed a spiritual answer. Even the Israelites acknowledge the spiritual nature of this battle by calling Gideon “Jerub-Baal” or “let Baal contend” (verse 32). Gideon needed to see beyond the Midianites and the fear they brought.
2. The summons to awareness
Suddenly Gideon becomes aware of Who he is speaking to (verse 22). Then God says, “Peace [Shalom]! Do not be afraid.” The revelation of Shalom breaks so abruptly into Gideon’s awareness that he immediately and significantly builds an altar to the Lord and calls it “Yahweh is Shalom.” He has become aware of who God is. He is wholeness, completeness and peace. (Click here for a further study on Gideon’s revelation of God as Shalom.)
Gideon’s awareness of God opens his awareness of where the real problem lies. In order to get rid of the Midianites, he has to confront idolatry within his own family and town (verses 25-28). Gideon’s awareness has to be followed by action as he destroys the idols – and takes the first step towards victory in the spiritual realm.
Gideon’s Army
It’s interesting that Gideon’s army go through exactly the same pattern as Gideon, before they are capable of being victorious in the battle against the invading Midianites.
1. The challenge of fear
When Gideon sends out a call for men to join him in fighting the Midianites, 32,000 answer the call. But God gives them two tests. The first is the challenge of fear. Anyone who is afraid is told they can go home. 22,000 leave (Judges 7:3)! These men are still Israelites. They cannot see beyond the fear, and therefore are not capable of going to war at this point in time.
2. The summons to awareness
The remaining 10,000 then have to undergo a second test – and it’s the refiner’s fire. That’s what the word “sift” (NIV), or “test” (NKJV) means. These men were not fearful, but something deeper needed to be brought to the surface.
The way the men drank water actually revealed something about what was in their heart. Those who were self-centred “got down on their knees to drink” (verse 6). They put their heads directly towards the water, without thinking about anyone else. But their self-absorption disqualified them from the battle and they were told to go home.
Only 300 men stayed alert to their surroundings. They lifted the water to their mouths with their hands (verses 5-7). Awareness is a key capability to have during times of war.
Where are we today?
1. The challenge of fear
When Covid hit the world, it brought with it a spirit of fear. We all felt it in the atmosphere, and it shook us for an extended season. Like Gideon, many of us hid away in our own “winepress” as “Midianite” raiders sought to destroy our faith in God. It has left many believers, even now, with limited internal resources. Resilience is rather lacking and many will acknowledge that our relationship with God could be better. As in Gideon’s army, the challenge of fear has left its mark and many have turned away from engaging in spiritual warfare at this point in time.
At the core, we too are in a spiritual battle. Like Gideon, we need to refocus on God, not Midianites or circumstances. We need to recognise where we have focused on fear, disappointment, trauma, or the ravages of life rather than Almighty God. We may even need to break ungodly agreements that have allowed areas of our lives to be damaged. Let’s ensure we see Jesus for who He really is as Lord and King over all things. And let’s stand in the absolute truth that “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
2. The summons to awareness
In the coming days, we are going to need to be more and more aware of God and what He is doing. If we aren’t listening, we are going to misinterpret events, and miss opportunities to see and experience His glory.
We are going to face the refiner’s fire test that Gideon’s army faced. Are we wanting to be more aware of God and His intentions, or would we rather be focused on ourselves? Do we have ears to hear and eyes to see what God is doing around us so we can respond to His strategies, or do we only have ears to hear what He wants to say to us personally?
If we want to move forward, then we are going to face some battles. Like Gideon, we are going to have to stand on a revelation of who our God is. And like Gideon’s army, we are going to need to be fit and capable soldiers who are fully aware of what God is doing and where He wants us to go. As Paul says
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:12-13 (NIV)
