Judges 7:9-11 Complete Jewish Bible
9 That night Adonai said to him, “Get up and attack the camp, because I have handed it over to you. 10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down with your servant Purah; 11 and after you hear what they are saying, you will have the courage to attack the camp.” So with his servant Purah he went down to the outposts of the camp.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
The Slow Walk to Fear or Spirit-Filled Boldness
Gideon knew a lot about fear and the hesitation it birthed.
He hesitated when God’s angel called him to lead Israel (Judges 6:13, 15).
He hesitated when Israel’s enemies gathered to oppose him (v 36-40).
And, it seems, he hesitated again the night before the battle in which God had promised victory (7:9-10).
And into this fear and hesitancy, God spoke.
Notice God’s grace and patience with Gideon as He says, “But if you are afraid…” and encourages him to take his servant down to the camp with him.
This is a sensitive way to address Gideon’s fear. It recognizes that, humanly speaking, there was great reason to be afraid! He was about to go into battle against an opponent whose soldiers outnumbered his by tens of thousands.
God didn’t rebuke him for his fear; instead, He gave him a valid reason to be bold and confident.
Like Gideon, we need such kind words from our Lord.
We are often slow to remember that we can cast all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). We can boldly approach lay down all of our burdens and fears at His feet.
The veil is torn.
We’re permitted to come to Him and say that we don’t know what to do.
And His response is always filled with grace and sensitivity towards us.
What makes this story even more beautiful is Gideon’s response to God’s gentle suggestion.
During his discreet visit to the enemy camp, he overhears two men discussing a dream, which one soldier interprets as meaning that they will fall under “the sword of Gideon” because “God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp” (Judges 7:14).
When Gideon hears that and realizes that God has indeed gone before him to do what is impossible for him to do alone, what does he do? “He worshiped” (v 15).
There’s such wealth of gratitude and wisdom contained in that response.
Facing impossible odds but assured of God’s promise, this fearful, fragile, unlikely leader poured out his heart in worship and praise, and prayer and then utilized his new found God-given gift of steady courage to rally his troops. His boldness came from a private, secret moment between him and the Lord God.
There’s a difference between personality-driven schemes for manipulating people and genuine, Spirit-filled boldness.
One is produced on a purely human plane and is apt to crumble; the other can be discovered only as we humble ourselves before God, we freely acknowledge our inadequacy, and turn to His Word, remember His infinitely greater sufficiency.
That is a firm place on which to take our stand.
The antidote to fear isn’t more fear or more folly to think more highly of yourself, as so many claim. It’s to think more highly, reverently, of God.
It’s to trust in God’s enablement, over our own, which can grant you a holy, humble boldness beyond compare.
What are you fearful of right now?
Why are you delaying?
Why are you procrastinating?
Why are you hanging around, lingering, malingering, in all those shadows?
Why are you, like Jonah, looking for the fastest and most discrete ship to sail far in the opposite direction, to the furthest possible point away from the action?
What are you making what are obviously the world’s worst excuses against?
What responsibility are you really trying your hardcore hardest to avoid doing?
What lie or truth are you really trying your hardcore hardest to avoid learning?
Did Nathan visit your throne room? Is there a Psalm 51 thing you are avoiding?
Is there a truth you are trying your hardcore hardest to keep the deepest secret?
In what way are you tempted to hang back even though God is calling you to walk forward in obedience? Bring your fears to God. Ask Him to show you His ability to do what you cannot. Then trust Him, worship Him, and obey Him.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 32 Complete Jewish Bible
32 (0) By David. A maskil:
(1) How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven,
those whose sin is covered!
2 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no deceit!
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away
because of my groaning all day long;
4 day and night your hand was heavy on me;
the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah)
5 When I acknowledged my sin to you,
when I stopped concealing my guilt,
and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”;
then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)
6 This is what everyone faithful should pray
at a time when you can be found.
Then, when the floodwaters are raging,
they will not reach to him.
7 You are a hiding-place for me,
you will keep me from distress;
you will surround me
with songs of deliverance. (Selah)
8 “I will instruct and teach you
in this way that you are to go;
I will give you counsel;
my eyes will be watching you.”
9 Don’t be like a horse or mule
that has no understanding,
that has to be curbed with bit and bridle,
or else it won’t come near you.
10 Many are the torments of the wicked,
but grace surrounds those who trust in Adonai.
11 Be glad in Adonai; rejoice, you righteous!
Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 