Focal Passage: Judges 6:1–4, 7-16
Growing up, I loved playing sports, and recess was always one of my favorite parts of the school day. One afternoon our class was playing kickball. Since many of my friends were on the opposing team, the game quickly became more competitive than anyone expected. What started as a simple recess game suddenly felt like the championship game. Every play mattered.
As the game neared its end, our team had the bases loaded. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for, and my teammates called on me to kick. As I walked to home plate, my mind was filled with both confidence and doubt. Could I come through for my team? Was I really the right person for such an important moment?
Life is often like that. There are moments when God calls us to step forward in faith, and our first response is often uncertainty.
That is exactly what we find in Judges 6.
Throughout the book of Judges, Israel follows a heartbreaking cycle. The people sin against the Lord, God allows a foreign nation to oppress them, Israel cries out for deliverance, and God raises up a judge to rescue them. Sadly, after a period of peace, the cycle begins all over again.
Judges 6 opens with Israel once again living in rebellion against God. As a result, the Lord allows the Midianites to oppress them for seven years. Their oppression was so severe that the Israelites hid in caves and mountain strongholds, and the Midianites repeatedly destroyed their crops, leaving them impoverished and afraid. Finally, Israel cried out to the Lord for help.
God answered by calling an unlikely man named Gideon.
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and declared, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” Gideon could hardly believe what he was hearing. When God called him to deliver Israel, Gideon immediately focused on his weaknesses. He replied that his clan was the weakest in Manasseh and that he was the least in his father’s household. In Gideon’s mind, God had chosen the wrong person.
Yet God was never looking for the strongest or most impressive leader. He was looking for someone who would trust Him. The key to Gideon’s calling was not Gideon’s ability but God’s presence. The Lord answered Gideon’s doubts with these simple but powerful words: “But I will be with you” (Judg. 6:16).
The same truth encourages us today.
God continues to call His people to join Him in His redemptive work. Through the Great Commission, He calls every believer to make disciples, share the gospel, and faithfully serve His kingdom. For some, that may mean serving in your local church. For others, it may mean sharing Christ with a coworker, loving a difficult neighbor, leading your family spiritually, or even stepping into vocational ministry.
Perhaps God is calling you to take a step of obedience, but fear, doubt, or feelings of inadequacy are holding you back. Remember Gideon. God’s call was never based on Gideon’s strength, it was based on God’s presence.
The same Holy Spirit who empowers believers today equips us to do what God has called us to do. When God calls His people, He also provides everything they need to faithfully obey.
What step of faith is God calling you to take today? Trust His promises, step forward in obedience, and remember: the One who calls you is the One who goes with you. B&R