A Life Without FearSample

Day 3: God Understands Your Fear

Today’s reading is a bit long, so hang with me.

You’ve got to love Gideon. 

Here’s the scene. Out of nowhere an angel shows up and tells an insecure, frightened Gideon – who happens to be hiding in a winepress – that he’s a mighty warrior and he’s going to save Israel from the Midianites. 

But Gideon isn’t buying it. While it seems to Gideon that this just may be a man from God, He’s not so sure, so he’s going to put him to the test. He wants a sign.

God graciously endures Gideon’s fear and doubt while Gideon shifts into Top Chef mode and prepares a bit of a feast that would customarily be served to an honored guest. Obviously, it takes some time to get this meal together. Yet God waits patiently.

What I love about this scene is just that: God’s patience. He understands Gideon’s fear and resulting doubt, so He is patiently waiting to help Gideon deal with it.

Somehow by honoring his guest with this meal, Gideon hopes for an assurance that this is indeed a man from God, that he can be trusted.

After all that hard work to put the meal together, Gideon is instructed to put it on a rock and dump the broth over it. He has to be thinking, “What the…? That’s a bit rude after all the time I’ve put into this meal!” 

But Gideon obeys, and then gets the sign he had asked for, but not one he was expecting.

God touches the rock with the end of the staff and, poof, that meal goes up in smoke. Literally. And all of a sudden the Lord disappears.

Gideon’s fear goes into hyper-drive. This wasn’t any old man. Or a man sent from God. It was God Himself. And Gideon knew the penalty for seeing the face of God. Death. I’m sure the words of Exodus 33:20 were ringing in his ears: “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Gideon goes into hysterics… he’s a dead man. Seriously. God really does have a sense of humor. 

What is God doing? Is he toying with Gideon? Not really. He’s trying to break Gideon of his fear and doubt, and to trade that for the peace only God could can give him. He’s taking Gideon to a place Gideon doesn’t really want to go – fearing for his life – so God can get Gideon where he needs to be: truly trusting Him.

That’s why God’s response to Gideon fearing for his life is the command, “Peace! Do not be afraid,” not just “Do not be afraid.” But, “Exchange your fear for my peace.” 

Breakthrough. Gideon gets the message. That’s why he builds a memorial that permanently reminds everyone that in God there is true peace.

Peace. Imagine your life filled with peace rather than fear. But that’s exactly what God wants to do in your life. He wants you to lean into Him and allow Him to be your peace.

So what’s the key takeaway from this story? 

One of the primary drivers of fear is not seeing God for who He is. Fear is fed in our lives when our view of God is limited. We tend to lay on Him the attributes of men, which is our experience. But He is the sovereign, all-powerful God.

That’s the purpose behind the show of force, burning up the meal and then disappearing.

In Isaiah 55:8–9, God reminds us…

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Our ways are not God’s ways. So when you look at life and things aren’t working out and you find yourself consumed by fear, calm down and turn to God. Like He did with Gideon, God often takes you where you don’t want to go in order to get you where you need to be.

It may not make sense. But it shouldn’t, because His ways are not your ways.

As God showed Gideon, He is indeed all powerful. There is nothing too hard for Him or situation outside His control. You can trust Him with your life, which is the path to living in His peace. 

That’s why the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6–7…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God understands your fear. And He wants you to exchange your fear with His peace. So take a moment right now and release your fear to God. And trust Him in the midst of whatever you are going through as the one who is greater than anything you might face. 

And embrace His peace.