Judges 8:1 NLT “Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us this way? Why didn’t you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?” And they argued heatedly with Gideon.” Gideon only used 300 men to fight this battle and succeeded with the limited number. Previously, God stated that they had too many people and after the battle would be won, the Israelites would believe that victory was because of their might and not due to God Himself. So, all of the fighters were reduced because the Lord had a plan that would lead to triumph. How much pride does it take to complete a goal and then be angry because I wanted to be there. In high school, we played against a team that was not very good. After 5 minutes in the first quarter, we were winning by over 20 points. The coach told me that I would sit for the rest of the game to let our other players get minutes. I was mad, I kept thinking that I could probably set some sort of scoring record if I could stay in the game. My perspective was only focused on me. We were going to win that game no matter what, but I wanted to pad my stats. And rather than being happy that my teammates are playing, I kept thinking about me. I should have turned into our biggest cheer leader instead of whining like LeBron when he doesn’t get his way. I pray for humility and a clear understanding for the big picture. I need to comprehend that I may not be the one to personally accomplish every goal in my life. Potentially, my role will be to support rather than to achieve. So, the next time I am out of the game, I will champion my other team mates rather than sulk because I am not the one scoring.

Judges 6:15-16 ESV “And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” What is interesting is that Gideon was just complaining about how God has not been with his people. Asking why these things have been happening to them and if He has saved them before, why isn’t he doing something now. Then God says that he is about to work wonders and Gideon will be His tool to carry out that miracle. He was told that he is about to get what he was just complaining about and immediately puts limits on God’s choice. If I am asking God for something, am I really ready to put in the work to receive it? Or am I just hoping that it’s served to me on a platter? Gideon thought that he is too weak and inadequate to be used in the way that God is saying. Who are we to push divine empowerment to the side because of our personal limitations? If God says that I can then it isn’t time for questions, it is time for action. If you ever think that you can’t possibly be the one to do something big, you have to change your mindset because that may be the exact reason why it will be you. If a hesitant farmer can be a mighty warrior, what can I be? Don’t ask ‘why me?’, ask ‘why not me?’ The Lord’s presence is power, if I feel that He is with me, then I need to get ready because something amazing is about to happen and I might be the reason that it is possible. I pray for the Lord to shape my heart in a way that I do not think about what I can’t do, but rather I consider what is possible through Him. If I am called, I do not provide a list of why I am the wrong choice, I start creating the list of why I am the perfect choice.

Judges 6:13 ESV “And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Miriam.” It is easy to feel like God has forgotten about me if I am not in the middle of a miracle. If I am not actively feelings God’s presence, that he must have moved on. What this chapter demonstrates is actually the exact opposite. If I notice that so much around me is not right, that could be the sign that it’s on me to step up. In the middle of Gideon’s weakness and fear is when he was called by God to save His people. Gideon knew how God saved his ancestors from Egypt, but did not understand why God was not currently relieving them from their struggles. He was being prepared for what was next. He will be the instrument for salvation of his people. Suffering does not contradict God’s love. The feeling of abandonment could mean that what is needed to cure the situation that you find yourself in is already inside of you and is being prepared to come out. If you recognize the problem, maybe you are being called to create the change. Perhaps it isn’t God that is needed to come down and fix what is going wrong, it is me. He made me and placed me here, why would He not use me right where I am? I pray for wisdom when looking where I find myself. If I have felt His presence in the past, that proves that Jesus is here for me. If things are going wrong, that does not mean he has moved on or left me; it means that I am being prepared for something greater in comparison to what is currently holding me down. I pray that I can hear when I am called to step up rather than hide in fear of failure. My strength comes after my weakness is discovered.

Judges 4:9 ESV “And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.” Deborah was a prophetess and a leader and speaking to Barak, who was an Israelite military leader. They are discussing how to win an upcoming battle. Barak did not want to enter this fight without Deborah along side of him. It struck me when Deborah said that she will go, but gave him warning that this conflict will not result in his fame. In the end, Deborah was the one to bring down the general of the opposing army. This wouldn’t have been possible if Barak didn’t play his part. If I am given a task, do I answer based on if I will receive the credit or not? My purpose is to serve others and not just myself. I am important and I should focus on my well being, but I should not base my decisions on if it will bring me glory or not. When I am asked to complete something, there is a goal behind the ask. The significance may be great or small, but I realize that is not my choice to make. I pray that if I am asked to serve, that I will take pride in my task and do whatever it is to the best of my ability. The result afterwards is out of my hands, I may be recognized or I may not; but the intention of my actions will not be based on what I will be given in the end. Be a part of the greater good. ‘First of all, I am a servant of all’ (Relevant church quote).

Judges 3:2 NLT “He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle.” The Israelites entered the land God had promised them and drove out the inhabitants so that they could settle in that place. Here is said that God purposefully left certain nations in the land. There were continued wars between these people over the next several generations. These wars had a purpose in the overall story of the Israelites. War is never good in our eyes, but what developed inside of His people goes beyond what they could have understood in that time. God didn’t use these nations to create war, he used war to create strength and resilience. I common question that comes up is, “How can God allow these awful things to happen?” Yes, we all do receive several tests throughout life; and some people’s tests are objectively more difficult. During these struggles it is hard to see things from God’s perspective because we don’t know what the outcome is. Our point of view is looking at a very small corner of space and time where God see the big picture. I pray that I can trust in the Lord’s wisdom over judging the current situation that I find myself in. I do not want to be upset with the hazards in front of me, but rather believe that I am going to grow past it. Not only will I continue forward, but I will have turned what was a threat into an enhancement.