This Might of Yours

 

“The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have…’” (Judges 6:14, NIV).

God spoke these words to Gideon at a very low point in his life. We learn from the passage that he felt abandoned by God, and he wasn’t afraid to say so out loud. Not only that, but he felt exceedingly small and inferior. He basically stated, “I am the least of the least of the nothings and the nobodies.” He felt forsaken, worthless, and full of fear.

What a state for God to decide to call him out of! What a condition, for Him to greet Gideon by calling him “you mighty man of valor!” (v. 12, NKJV). I can almost hear Gideon nearly choking, to take in such words. Maybe he looked over his shoulder, wondering if the angel of the Lord was talking to someone else. Mighty man of valor?? He can’t be talking about me! was clearly going through his mind. It spilled out into his words. “Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (v. 15).

And yet, that call! “Go in the strength that you have.” What strength? I have no strength! None!

 Here’s the thing. God sees the end from the beginning. He was already in Gideon’s future, watching him vanquish Midian with a rinky-dink army and all of heaven backing him up. He was reporting from His highly superior vantage point. From that vantage point, He knew that Gideon had just the right amount of strength for that moment. He had just enough strength to begin his journey.

I love how the NKJV renders it: “Go in this might of yours.” God is countering Gideon’s protests with exactly the encouragement he needs, “You do have it! The strength is yours! You really are the mighty man of valor that My eyes see!”

As God speaks this over him, the very beginning of strength begins to rise up in Gideon. The seed of the Word of God spoken into his spirit goes into his heart-soil. It begins to germinate. Little tiny rootlets start finding their way downward.

Yet, the doubts! The overwhelming uncertainty! How? How in the world can I do this thing You are asking of me?

“Ah, but I will be with you!” (v. 16, NET).

Isn’t God’s answer delightful?

I will be with you.

We know the end of the story. Gideon asked God for quite a few signs to bolster his confidence. God granted every one of them. With each sign lavished on him, that strength God had spoken into existence kept on growing. It grew to the point that Gideon was ready to take the day with His ongoing help. With God by his side, he and his army won an unforgettable victory… one that even today is retold with relish to each succeeding generation.

Can you relate to the Gideon at the beginning of the story? Do you struggle with feeling forgotten? Are your enemies looking enormously daunting and intimidating? Are you hiding?

What God said to Gideon, He is saying to you today, too, my friend. Mighty warrior! I will be with you. Go in this strength of yours.

You may have just a mustard seed of strength. It is enough. As you honestly share your struggles and doubts with God, as Gideon did, He will meet you where you are. He will speak life and destiny over you. As you move forward, one step at a time, you will find your strength growing. The day will come when you take pause… and realize that God saw you correctly all along.

Go in the strength that you have. It is enough for today. Each day you are getting stronger. As you use the strength He has given you, it is steadily increasing.

Lean in and listen as He says it to you again. The strength is yours. Go. I will be with you!

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If Gideon was already struggling with feelings of weakness and inadequacy, why would God decide to reduce his army down from thousands to three hundred?