Help Me God…find courage

Help Me God... Find Courage

Text: Judges 6-7

Introduction:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian who actively opposed the Nazi regime. He was arrested and eventually executed for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler. His faith gave him the courage to stand against evil, even at the cost of his life.

Strong faith can empower us to stand up for righteousness and justice, even in the face of severe persecution and death.

Explain that the Book of Judges depicts a time of Israel's moral and spiritual decline. Each cycle of disobedience leads to oppression, followed by cries for help and God raising up a deliverer.

Today I want to focus on the story of Gideon, to help us see how we can find courage and struggle with fear (especially the fear of inadequacy).

I. The Call of Gideon (Judges 6:1-16)

1. Gideon’s Situation:

The Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites, who devastated their land (Judges 6:1-6). Gideon is found hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat to keep it from the Midianites.

Judges 6:11 (NIV)

11 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.

Life Application Bible Notes Chapter 6

Threshing was the process of separating the grains of wheat from the useless outer shell called chaff. This was normally done in a large area, often on a hill, where the wind could blow away the lighter chaff when the farmer tossed the beaten wheat into the air. If Gideon had done this, however, he would have been an easy target for the bands of raiders who were overrunning the land. Therefore, he was forced to thresh his wheat in a winepress, a pit that was probably hidden from view and that would not be suspected as a place to find a farmer’s crops.

Sometimes, working out our fears where no one can see them or judge them. We feel that if anyone sees what I’m dealing with it’ll wreck everyone’s perception of me.

> Fear comes in many forms: terror, intimidation, worry, distress, anxiety.

>They are all a tool to “Dis” courage you. To strip you of your courage.

Personal story of facing fear…

2. The angel calls Gideon a "mighty warrior," but Gideon questions this, expressing doubt about God's presence and past miracles.

Judges 6:12–13 (NIV)

12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 13 “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 angel calls him something that He doesn’t see in himself. God has the ability to do that. Abram- Abraham, Jacob (deceiver) - Israel, Simon - Peter (Petra).

Sometimes God calls out of you what you cannot see in yourself. Who else knows us better than God.

What does Gideon do? He questions God’s presence in the midst of trouble.

Have you ever questions God’s presence in the midst of trouble?

Three phrases of discouragement:

1- If the Lord is with me…why has all this happened.

2 - Where are all God’s wonders. (Where is the God I see working for everyone esle?)

3 - The Lord has abandoned us.

Its not that the Lord has abandoned you. Israel abandoned God. You cannot abandon God and expect God to still cover you.

3. Even though Gideon had doubts, God reassures him of His presence and promises victory.

Judges 6:14 (NIV)

14 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?”

Judges 6:16 (NIV)

16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

God assured Gideon that He would give him the strength to defeat his enemies.

Despite this clear promise, Gideon still made excuses. He focused on his own limitations and weaknesses, failing to see how God could work through him.

>> How often we make excuses because of how we see our limitations. God is saying, go in the strength of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

God sees potential in us that we often overlook. Courage comes from His presence and promises.

II. Gideon’s Test of Faith (Judges 6:36-40)

Judges 6:36–40 (NIV)

36 Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

1. The Fleece Test:

Gideon asks for signs to confirm God's promise of victory. First, he asks for dew on the fleece only; then, for the fleece to be dry while the ground is wet.

A fleece test is when you ask God to confirm His word.

Judges 6:36 Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised,

Judges 6:37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.”

Judges 6:38 And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.

Judges 6:39 Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.”

Judges 6:40 So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.

Gideon sought confirmation from God through the fleece, and God granted his request, affirming Gideon's faith and strengthening it for the task ahead.

Seeking confirmation from God is not a sign of weak faith but a step towards stronger faith.

2 Corinthians 1:20 “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”

2. Understanding Faith and Fear:

Gideon's requests reveal his struggle with fear and doubt. God patiently responds, understanding Gideon's need for reassurance.

How often do you struggle with fear and doubt?

Understand that Fear is the counter to faith. Satan knows that if HE can get you to fear for what you should have faith for; he will succeed.

That is why you need faith to counter your fear.

Isaiah 41:10 “‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

God's patience with Gideon teaches us that He understands our fears and is willing to strengthen our faith.

III. God’s Strategy for Victory (Judges 7:1-8)

1. To prevent Israel from boasting in their own strength, God reduces Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men.

Judges 7:2-3 – "The Lord said to Gideon, 'The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, "My own power has delivered me."'"

The Lord’s instructions came as a surprise to Gideon. He was already outnumbered.

Understand that God could have easily given victory to 32000 as he could to 300. So that Israel not take credit.

Sometimes God has to remove what could anything that you would take credit for so that HE gets the glory.

That is why God chooses people who you think are unqualified or less that so that HE can use them for HIS purposes.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 – God chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

What things are you trying to do that you need to let God move?

Maybe he hasn’t moved yet because he is trying to break down anything that would take HIS credit.

2. By using only 300 men, God ensures that Israel's victory is clearly His doing.

Judges 7:7 – "The Lord said to Gideon, 'I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands.'"

True courage comes from reliance on God's power, not our own abilities or numbers.

Now the stage is set… It would truly be a test of faith for Gideon and the army. How can victory come from so little?

God often chooses to strip us of everything that we find secure to build courage in us.

Courage is developed in the face of fear and in the heat of trial.

It takes courage to trust God:

in the fire

When facing the king

When facing a giant

HERO’s aren’t people are not afraid. Heros are people who run into danger even while being afraid.

God has a victory for you… but he is stripping you down so that He can get the glory through you!

IV. Gideon’s Victory (Judges 7:9-25)

1. God strengthens Gideon's courage through a dream overheard in the enemy camp, confirming the coming victory.

Judges 7:13-15 – "When Gideon came, behold, a man was relating a dream to his friend... 'God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand.' When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship."

God positions Gideon so that he overhears his enemy’s dream about His position.

Sometimes God has to use your enemy to encourage you.

It may not come through a dream…

Romans 8:31 – "If God is for us, who is against us?"

God often provides encouragement and confirmation in unexpected ways HE does this to help strengthen us and encourage us.

2. Gideon divides his 300 men into three companies, each armed with trumpets, jars, and torches. Their surprise attack throws the Midianites into confusion, leading to their defeat.

Judges 7:20-22 – "When the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers... the Lord set the sword of one against another even throughout the whole army."

God can use unconventional means to achieve His purposes.

Our role is not to question the how. Our role is to obey and trust in His plans, finding courage in His assurances.

Conclusion:

Reiterate the key points: God's call, reassurance, strategy, and victory through Gideon.

Encourage the congregation to seek God's presence and promises for courage in their own lives.

Joshua 1:9 – "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."