“The angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.”
Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about? They said, ‘Hasn’t the Lord brought us out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.”
The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you!”
He said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s family.”
“But I will be with you,” the Lord said to him. “You will strike Midian down as if it were one man.””
Judges 6:11-16 CSB
Have you ever had a moment like Gideon?
Doing your best just to get through the day. Feeling small. Hiding the pieces of your life that feel disappointing or broken. Maybe you’ve wondered, “God… where are You? If You’re really with me, why is this so hard?”
Gideon wasn’t courageous when the angel found him — he was afraid and in hiding. But notice what God did not say:
He didn’t say, “Try harder.”
He didn’t say, “When you’re stronger, then I’ll use you.”
God looked at fearful, insecure Gideon and spoke a new identity over him:
“Valiant warrior.”
Why? Because God wasn’t speaking to who Gideon felt like — He was speaking to who Gideon was with Him.
God doesn’t deny Gideon’s weakness. He simply answers it with His presence.
“Go in the strength you have… I am sending you… I will be with you.”
Maybe you feel like you don’t have enough strength for today. Enough patience. Enough courage. Enough hope. But God isn’t asking you to have more. He’s inviting you to take the next step with what you already have.
Your “not enough” plus God’s presence is more than enough.
In your fear — He is with you.
In your uncertainty — He is sending you.
In your weakness — He makes you a warrior.
So today, instead of waiting until you feel confident or ready, whisper this simple prayer:
God, I will go in the strength I have. You are with me.
Take the next step. Make the call. Show up. Speak truth.
Not because you feel strong, but because He is.
What a timely read for me! Gideon is one of my favorite characters in The Bible. Thank you for this reminder. I truly needed it today.
In Courage,
Take a look at David & Goliath. David was no warrior. He was youngest in his family. Yet he knew that God plus him would equal victory. No matter what we are facing remember God is with you & will see you through this. Psalm 23:4 Yea though I walk through the valley of shadow of death I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. Thy rod & staff comfort me. Always trust Jesus to be with you & guide your steps.
Blessings 🙂
I have not felt well for the past week, just a bad cold, but it’s really taken all my energy. Then I didn’t sleep well last night. I have a church obligation this morning and I had no desire to fulfill it, or any idea where I would find the energy. This was perfect. I don’t need to find the energy, I only need to lean on the Lord.
Beautiful! Thank you for this timely reminder! Hugs and prayers ❤️
This was the perfect devotion on Sunday and I am getting ready for church. The one that really speaks to me is the prayer: God, I will go in the strength I have ! You are with me. I am weary, not feeling like Thanksgiving this year as my family is celebrating and of course, I was banned from coming. So, I will sit alone in my room and think about all the great gatherings we had many years ago when my parents and my beloved relatives were still here on earth. So much fun, love and thankfulness to God for joining us as these times. This story is now 5 years and so far there is no sign that my son will ever come back to me and allow me to speak to my 15 year old grandson, but I continue on with HOPE that I know God will do something behind the scenes. I will wait with as much patience that I can muster. Thanks again for this reminder. Have to go now to church. Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!!………………………Betsy
I so needed this,Lord!!! Thank you that you are always enough!!