Introduction

Good morning, church family! Picture this: You're going about your normal day, minding your own business, when suddenly you're confronted by a divine messenger with an enormous task. That's exactly what happened to Gideon in the book of Judges - specifically, Judges 6:11-16.

Let's read the passage together:

"The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.' 'Pardon me, my lord,' Gideon replied, 'but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, 'Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.' The Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?' 'Pardon me, my lord,' Gideon replied, 'but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.' The Lord answered, 'I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.'"

God's Call to Gideon in the Midst of Suffering

In the midst of Gideon's suffering, God called him to a divine mission. This was not a call to a life of comfort and ease, but rather a call to step into the role of a deliverer for the Israelites who were oppressed by the Midianites. This call came at a time when Gideon was at his lowest, threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the enemy. It was a time of great fear, uncertainty, and hardship. Yet, it was in this very moment of adversity that God chose to reveal His plan to Gideon.

God's call often comes in the midst of suffering: It's not that God causes our suffering, but He uses it to draw us closer to Him and to reveal His plans for us. Suffering has a way of stripping away our self-reliance and pride, making us more receptive to God's voice. In Gideon's case, his suffering had brought him to a point of desperation, and it was in this state of vulnerability that he was able to hear God's call.

Not based on his abilities or qualifications: In fact, Gideon saw himself as the least qualified person for the task. He was from the weakest clan in Manasseh and he was the least in his family. Yet, God chose him. This shows us that God's call is not based on our strength, but on His. He chooses the weak and the lowly to shame the strong and the proud. He uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. God's call is a divine invitation to rely not on our own strength, but on His.

Accompanied by a promise: God said, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive." This promise was not based on Gideon's ability, but on God's faithfulness. God was not asking Gideon to do something in his own strength, but to trust in His. This is a crucial aspect of God's call. It is not a call to self-reliance, but a call to trust in God's power and faithfulness.

God's Purpose in Suffering

Suffering is a universal human experience ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO