Israel was in trouble. They had continually disobeyed God and done what was evil in the sight of the Lord. God gave Israel over to the people of Midian for seven years. During this time the Israelites made little dens for themselves in the mountains to hide their livestock and crops because the Midianites would come and steal or destroy their possessions. Seven years is a long time to be oppressed by others. One man who really felt defeated and weak because of this was Gideon.
God had a big calling for Gideon. He was going to use Gideon to defeat Midian. Gideon did not feel up to the task. He understood his weakness and his limitations. He knew how immense this task was and how impossible it seemed. How could he do all that God asked of him?
Feeling weak is common. We are limited, frail, lacking wisdom and faith that many of the tasks in front of us seem too much to handle. I’m sure we have all felt this way. Maybe you want a marriage restored but the obstacles and work ahead seems too much. Maybe you have a number of small children and juggling home, work, and parenting seems too much. Maybe God is leading you down a path that requires a lot of faith and you feel spiritually weak. Perhaps the tasks of daily dying to self, killing sin, and doing what is right seem impossible.
Gideon questioned God. He had his doubts that a man from a small and insignificant clan could do any good for the people of Israel, let alone defeat the strong nation of Midian. God’s response was simple, “I will be with you.” (Jdg 6:38) There was no promise of jaw dropping miracles or fire from heaven. The simple fact that God would be with Gideon was enough. Who can come against God? Who can stop Him or mess up His plans? No one!
You are given the same promise. God is with you always. Before Jesus left earth He promised He would send a helper who would be with us forever. That is the Holy Spirit. He has taken up residence in each one of God’s children. He lives in you and is there to give you the power to do even the tasks that seem too overwhelming or impossible.
God’s presence allows us to call out to Him at all times. We can pour out our doubts, fears, heartaches, and struggles and He will not hold them against us. We can approach Him with the boldest requests and He will hear us. We must trust that God will act in His time, not in ours, and that all will be made right in the end.
We can all feel overwhelmed at times. Instead of focusing on our feelings, we can focus on the help we have in Jesus and the Holy Spirit when we feel the weight of our weakness. Don’t feel ashamed of it, instead, let God work through you to grow your faith.
