UNLIKELY HEROES
Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!"
Judges 6:11-12 (NIV)
Mighty hero? Can you believe the angel called Gideon a mighty hero? In the Bible, a hero is a courageous warrior, yet Gideon hid and wrestled with doubt. God was revealing Gideon's true potential even when Gideon saw himself as the least in his family.
Remarkably, Gideon was already showing a warrior's heart when he asked, Show me a sign; let me know if it's really the LORD who is speaking to me (Judges 6:17). A true warrior seeks clarity and acts on trustworthy commands. Gideon wanted reassurance that these instructions were truly from God, not misleading whispers from the enemy.
As we grow into Kingdom Men and Women, we are also called to respond to God's voice. Like Gideon, we are invited by the Spirit to embrace the identity of mighty warriors and trust God's plans for us. We may feel overwhelmed, unprepared or unsure of our ability to face what lies ahead. Yet God told Gideon to go with the strength he already had rather than wait until he felt fully equipped.
Gideon's victories did not come through his own power, but through his willingness to obey God. Just as God stood with Gideon, He stands with us in our battles. Through Christ, unlikely warriors can experience victory and extraordinary possibilities.
Are you holding back, waiting to feel equipped, knowledgeable or worthy enough to pursue your God-given destiny? God invites you to begin today: use the strength you have and live boldly as a beloved child of the Kingdom.
APPLICATION: Think of three areas in your life where you feel weak or inadequate. Take a moment to invite God into those spaces, asking Him to use these very weaknesses to foster your growth as Kingdom men and women of Christ Jesus. Embrace the belief today that through these challenges, you are indeed regarded as a mighty hero for the Kingdom.
PRAYER: Father, please guide us in understanding how you wish to use our unique qualities, even as unlikely individuals, to spread your message. Open our eyes to the growth and learning that come from these experiences. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?