Suffering: Deficiency, Like Gideon

“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.”

Judges 6:15 (NIV)

When Midian defeated Israel, the Lord called Gideon to fight for Him, but Gideon said he was deficient: his kin were too few, and he was too young to battle such an overwhelming force. 

At the same time, he was plucky enough to ask God why He allowed their torment. Because the Midianites…

'Came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it...' (Judges 6:5).

So Gideon, the tester, tested God, and God graciously agreed to the test. Once done, Gideon became God’s point man, where the “haves” battled against the “have-nots.”

When Gideon gathered a small army, God told the “have-nots” to have less: to cut their fighting force to 300– and learn that strength comes from God, not themselves.*

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

By every known and practical measure, most Bible heroes were deficient:

  • Abraham and Sarah were far too old,** 

  • Other stars and prophets were far too young.***

  • Jacob was a deceitful fugitive.

  • Joseph was stuck in an Egyptian jail.

  • Moses was hot-tempered and scared to speak.

  • Rahab was a pagan and a harlot.

  • Samson lacked self-control around ladies.

  • David lacked the crown that God had promised him.

  • Joseph and Mary lacked Jewish status.

  • Jesus lacked what leading Jews expected.

  • His disciples lacked “qualifications”.

  • Saul (before God made him Paul) lacked mercy.

  • Peter lacked the courage he’d boasted about.

All this being said…

Our Father is pleased to fill what we lack. Therefore, let’s trust in HIS sufficiency. For us (and for every true believer), insufficiency is a flower bud– soon to open in the fullness of joy. Therefore, let’s keep walking forward in faith.

Suffering: Deficiency, Like Gideon (Part 33)

* Through Gideon and his tiny army, the Lord killed over 100,000 Midianites, and 40 years of peace for Israel followed.

* The Story of Gideon: Judges 6-8 NASB - Israel Oppressed by Midian - Then the - Bible Gateway

** So were Caleb, Zechariah, and Elizabeth.

*** Such as Joseph, Gideon, Esther, David, Jeremiah, and Timothy.

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban