What do you see of yourself when you look at Gideon? Is it not true that we often know exactly what it is that God in his Word has told us to do, but our goal is to delay obedience, or get out of obeying altogether? Have you ever said to yourself, I know I should do this or that because it’s what God in his Word calls me to do, but…I won’t
? Perhaps you say so because you are afraid of what others around you might think of you—your coworkers, classmates, neighbours. Fear produces endless excuses why we cannot do what God calls us to.
The heart of the issue is, is God’s Word enough for you? Or do you look for visible reassurances that God is with you? Gideon was apparently a man of great potential to be a warrior, but all he wanted to do was get out of his assignment: Lord, meet my conditions before I do your will.
There was nothing good about laying out the fleece.
John Hus, a forerunner of the Reformation, once said, “It is obvious that the true Christian should not seek proofs for his faith, but rather be firmly content with Scripture…; those who need miracles are men of little faith.” It is remarkable that he said this, in the Middle Ages, where the Roman church was all about the visual. Hus understood that the Word of God is enough for us.
Even in situations of life that are perplexing, it is the Word that has the counsel we need in the muck and mire of life. Fear and doubt are put to rest when you find great strength in the word of the Lord. Faith is nurtured not by miracles or even timely visible reminders of God’s power, but by the Word.
33 Now all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East came together, and they crossed the Jordan and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel.