We live in a world that demands credentials! We actively encourage our children to go for education, training, work experience, anything to help promote their chances in life. All of which has a place, but is it the only option? What about those who feel unqualified for life?
Gideon, the youngest son from a poor family of the tribe of Manasseh, considered himself of little significance. His story begins when Israel had been reduced to starvation by the Midianites, who had conquered the land and were demanding exorbitant taxes. Gideon was secretly threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress [a most unlikely place] and hoping to hide the grain from enemy spies when an angel appeared to him! What a shock! But then the angel said, “Yahweh is with you, you mighty warrior!” Gideon was not impressed. “If Yahweh is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about?” he grumbled. “He has abandoned us to the Midianites.” Yahweh Himself responded, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. I am sending you!”
Poor Gideon! We can imagine shock waves shuddering through him, “What…who…me?” His low self-esteem thundered into view. “I’m nothing, I’m nobody, my family is small and poor!” In his eyes, his credentials were not fit for purpose! But Yahweh wasn’t deterred; His choice stood. Credentials, it seems, are Yahweh’s personal business, and do not resonate with human standards whatsoever [see the complete story: Judges 6 and 7].
Yahweh gave Gideon a raft of instructions. As the story unfolds we see Him building up the young man’s courage and faith step by step. Gideon was precisely right for this task, and Yahweh showed great kindness to the anxious young man. He caringly allowed Gideon to check and re-check His instructions [6:36-40], because He knew it would be important for Gideon to have confidence in His Voice [7:1-8].
Yahweh knows each of us intimately, and will work with us and in us to equip us for the service to which He has called us. Whatever our credentials, He will ensure we are ‘fit for purpose’ – His purpose!
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The Living WordNew Audio Devotional
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1 Corinthians 15:19-20 NIV - If only for this life we have hope in - Bible Gateway
Rejoice, Rejoice, Oh Christian, Lift Up Your Voice And Sing Eternal Hallelujahs To [Yahshua the Messiah] The King! The Hope Of All Who Seek Him, The Help Of All Who Find, None Other Is So Loving, So Good And Kind.
Homer A. Rodeheaver
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