Sermon Central
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Gideon; From Despondency To Defiance
Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Gideon is a good example of despondency. He was so terrorized by the Midianites that he threshed wheat in a winepress—the worst place for that task.
To JOSHUA God said: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for THE LORD THY GOD IS WITH THEE WITHERSOEVER THOU GOEST” (Joshua 1:9).
DAVID’S TESTIMONY was: “God is our refuge and strength, A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. . . . THE LORD OF HOSTS IS WITH US; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psalm 46:1, 7). And he also said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet HAVE I NOT SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN. . . .” (Psalm 37:25).
Of SOLOMON it is said: “And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it [build the temple of God]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for THE LORD GOD, EVEN MY GOD, WILL BE WITH THEE: he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou has finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord” (1 Chronicles 28:20).
To THE APOSTLES God said: “Lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
To PAUL God said: “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I AM WITH THEE. . . .” (Acts 18:9-10).
To US God has this to say: “. . . I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE NOR FORSAKE THEE. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6).
In Paul’s letter to the Romans Paul said, “IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?” (Romans 8:31).
Paul told the Philippians, “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME” (Philippians 4:13).
God’s promise to Gideon was, “Surely I will be with you.”
That meant, “BE COURAGEOUS. If I am for you who can be against you? Not the Midiaite army. You will smite them as one man. You can do all things through My strength. I will be with you.”
God gives the same promise to every one of His children.
Whatever circumstance you find yourself in today, He says to you, “I am with you. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be depressed. Don’t be despondent. Don’t be afraid. Don’t worry. I am for you; it doesn’t matter who or what is against you. I will always be with you. I will never leave you.”
WHEN GOD IS WITH YOU, THE SIZE OF THE ENEMY IS OF NO GREAT CONCERN.
HOWEVER, In spite of the promise of God’s presence, Gideon still asked for a sign to confirm the angel’s message.
In fact, he asks for three signs in chapter 6.
Gideon found it very hard to believe that God could use him as Israel’s leader.
This again points to Gideon’s FEAR.
Gideon was a man with NO COURAGE and LITTLE STRENGTH.
Gideon felt completely INADEQUATE for God’s task.
But, THE MORE INADEQUATE WE ARE, THE GREATER THE LIKELIHOOD OF OUR BEING DEPENDANT.
Next, The PROCLAMATION of God’s PEACE IS GIVEN IN VERSES 22-24.
6:22-24—“And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it JEHOVAH-SHALOM. . . .”
