GOD—ENCOURAGER & PROTECTOR

It is easy to become discouraged when we see things happening in this world that make no logical sense. But we can be confident that God is our rescuer, for He is in control and wants us encouraged, trusting, and filled with faith.

When I think about encouragement and trust, Gideon is the first person in the Bible that comes to mind, because God sent His Messenger to him with a word of hope and encouragement. God rescues and sends hope and encouragement...if we listen, trust, and obey.

The Israelites did not listen to God and did evil in His sight by worshipping other gods, so for seven years God gave them over to the oppressive Midianites. The Israelites built shelters in mountain clefts and caves. Life for them was hard, because when they planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples invaded and plundered their land.

The Midianites, who once worshipped God, began worshipping other gods, so relations between the Israelites soured. The Midianites then joined forces with the Moabites to hire Balaam (a wicked prophet) to curse Israel. Later, Israel fell into idolatry and sexual sin with Moabite women (Judges 6:22;25). This seems to be the pattern of our world with apostasy increasing as many are enticed by evil purveyors of perversion, deception, and worldly pleasure.

The Midianites camped on the Israelites land and ravaged and destroyed their crops, sparing not a living thing. The land and the Israelites became so impoverished that they cried out for the Lord’s help (Judges 6:4-6).

How many criminals and illegals have entered the United States and set up tents and squalors on private property, public sidewalks—forcing both big and small businesses to close. They have taken over parks, and other public areas, thereby, destroying cities’ economic and tourist revenue and raising the crime rate.

The Israelites cried out to the Lord, so He sent them a prophet, who said, “I brought you up out of Egypt (bondage), out of the land of slavery (no freedom). I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians (worshippers of many deities). And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. 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” (Vs. 7-10).

Today, God is saying to His Church, “You have fallen away from My Word. Did I not say, ‘You shall have no other gods before Me’” (Exodus 20:3 NKJV). Therefore, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17 ESV).

The angel of the Lord then came and sat down under an oak tree where Gideon was threshing wheat. He then shocked Gideon by saying, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Gideon did not see himself as a mighty warrior, so the Lord then said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Gideon did not know that God had placed within him an unrealized strength that would come with trust and obedience (Vs. 11-12).

God has placed within each one of us an unrealized strength to do what He calls us to do for His kingdom. Our joy comes in trusting and obeying Him.

Gideon is still doubting his ability and questions God, “Pardon me, my Lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family. The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive” (Judges 6:15-16). The Lord reassured him and said, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die” (vs. 23). When God tells us to follow His instructions, we can be confident that He is with us and is in control.

That night Gideon followed God’s instructions and tore down his father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole (the pagan goddess Asherah). Then he built a proper altar to the Lord (vs. 25-26). We can be encouraged and confident that the Lord God is our refuge and strength, a present help in trouble. Therefore, we need not fear (Psalm 46:1-2).

The following morning, when the people saw what had been done, they demanded Gideon’s death, but God protected him (Vs. 28). Many of today’s Christians, who are obedient to God’s Word and speak truth, are being persecuted, but God is with them.

“Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces. But the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. His call to arms went throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them” (vs. 33-35). God always responds when we respond to Him in obedience.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). God was always calling Israel to return to Him, and He has been calling America for the last 60 years to repent and turn to Him.

Early in the morning, the Lord told Gideon that he had too many men. “I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against Me. Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.” So, 22,000 men left, and 10,000 remained. But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out...” (Judges 7:2-3).

Gideon obeyed and took the men to the water. There the Lord said, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel to drink.” Three hundred of them drank and lapped from cupped hands. All the rest got on their knees to drink (with faces in the water). So, the Lord told Gideon, “With the 300 men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home” (Judges 7:4-6).

Why was it so important to take only those who cupped their hands? Cupping their hands allowed them to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings and an approaching enemy. Those who placed their faces in the water would easily be surprised and overtaken by an enemy. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8 KJV).

God has his reasons for everything that He does and requires of us, even when it may seem foolish. Gideon did not see himself as a man of valor, but he trusted God to rescue them. His obedience brought victory so that all his enemies were destroyed.

Whether we believe it or not, we are in an escalating spiritual battle between good and evil. But God is ready to rescue those who obey and place their trust in Him as did Gideon.

PRAYER: FATHER, thank you that You protect and encourage those who listen and obey Your voice. Even if we feel like Gideon who did not see himself as a mighty man of valor, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Image courtesy of Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay