Fear Not! A Journey From Fear To Freedom (Part 2)نموونە

Man of Valor

“Then the Lord said to him, ‘Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.’ So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace” (Judges 6:23-24). 

We are all going to face crisis in our life. Not one of us is immune to trouble. Gideon certainly wasn’t. Was Gideon some highly trained soldier just waiting for the opportunity to kick some Midianite butt? Hardly! The Lord came to him and told him, “You shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not told you?” This is a pretty strong endorsement, but Gideon responded to the Lord, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:14-15). 

It is amazing what a word of assurance and the peace of the Lord can do for a man’s confidence. The Lord told Gideon in Judges 6:12, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor.” When God speaks something over you, your whole perspective changes. God used Gideon and 300 men armed with only trumpets and torches to scare the living daylights out of the Midian army, which numbered around 135,000 men. In Judges 8:10 we are told that 120,000 men who drew the sword had fallen and about 15,000 men were left. 

Did Gideon question the Lord about his calling? Absolutely he did. He put out a fleece not once, but twice, and asked God to do something supernatural to that fleece to prove to him that he was the right person. This story of Gideon should prove to you that it is okay to ask God to confirm what you believe you are hearing from Him. 

This story also lets us know how important peace is. You cannot buy peace, but you can certainly ask for it. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). 

It has been said that God is not looking at your ability, but your availability. Are you available when the Lord calls? Not if He calls, but when He calls. Do not fear, peace be with you (insert your name here)! 

Prayer: Dear God, I pray my response when You call will be, “Yes Lord.” Help me to learn from Gideon’s story that it is okay to ask You a question and to test what I think I heard against Your word. I know what You say will never contradict Your word. Today, I will not be anxious for anything, and I will rest in Your peace. In Jesus name, Amen.