Heroes: Gideon – The Reluctant Leader

Heroes: Life Lessons from Faith Champions

Part 5 – Gideon – The Reluctant Leader

Judges 6-7

10 I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” Judges 6:10.

We are to choose to obey God or not; but God will that choice.

God loves to use ordinary people for a couple of reasons:

• Because are remarkably ordinary.
• When we accomplish the purpose God intended, He gets the , not us.

12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12

Lesson #1 – God sees you not just for who you are, but who you with His help.

“God can use you way beyond your capabilities and in spite of your fears.”

– Patrick Morley.

12 …he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12b

Lesson #2 – God does not expect you to in life; He with you!

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6:14-16

Lesson # 3 – God wants you to , with His help, you can accomplish whatever He has you to.

36 Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.

39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. Judges 6:36-40

How can I seek clarification on where God may be leading me?

• continually…
• Take notice of your …
• Seek from wise, Godly people…
• Measure what you are sensing and hearing with what God’s Word teaches…

2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ Judges 7:2

4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men.” Judges 7:4a

Lesson #4 – God always has a plan to help you win your battles that credits Him for the victory!

17 “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. 18 When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”

19 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20 The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” 21 While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.

22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. Judges 7:17-22

Why would God include this inspiring account of Gideon’s leadership and this great victory?

Your weakness is the perfect place to prove God’s presence and power.

9 … “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a