And the angel of the Lord appeared to [Gideon] and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

– Judges 6:12

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” “But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:12, 15).

God’s angel called Gideon a “mighty warrior,” but Gideon couldn’t accept that. He made all kinds of excuses so that God would turn to someone else to solve this problem of the Midianites and Amalekites. These enemies of God’s people were coming into their land and ruining all their crops, as a result of Israel’s disobedience to the Lord by worshiping the gods of the Amorites.

“Lord, I’m nothing… just from the weak tribe of Manasseh. And not only that, but I am the least important in my own family. I can’t do anything. Get someone else.”

But God says, “No. You are a strong warrior because I am with you.”

If God says you are an evangelist, a teacher, a prayer warrior, a care giver, or whatever, you REALLY are because He has made you. So never say, “But I am only …” Every gift that the Lord has given to you is special to you because God knows that you are the very best person to possess, and use, that gift. What has God called you to be? Trust Him with whatever gift He has given you. Pray and seek ways to use your God-given gift. No excuses!

Prayer:

Dear God, sometimes I think I have no gifts or that my gifts don’t count. But each gift comes from You. Show me how to develop and use the gifts You have given me to Your glory and for the furtherance of the Gospel.

Daily Reading: 1 Corinthians 7

– Contributed by Karen Seutter Parham