When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12, NIV

 

Recently, I was out walking our ageing rescue dog, on a lovely, sunny day, when she started to drag her heels and hinder the cheerful rhythm of our walk. Ahead was a man with a rake working on his kerb – which triggered an old fear from her from puppy days – and although we managed to skulk past him, every few seconds she’d look backwards anxiously, clearly expecting him to be coming after us.

 

The Israelites, in the days that Gideon was a Judge, might also have been seen frequently looking over their shoulders as they lived in constant fear with the unquestionably real threat of powerful Midian. They tried to hide themselves in the mountains, living in caves and shelters, away from the Midianite hordes that were constantly invading their country, ruining the crops, taking the livestock and leaving the people desperate for food.

 

The Bible tells us, After Joshua and his generation had died, another generation grew up who “forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors … They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them … served Baal and the Ashtoreths. In his anger against Israel the Lord gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them.” (Judges 2:12-14)

 

During that time, Gideon, fearful because of the dangerous situation, was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it hidden from the Midianites, when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and greeted him with the words of our verse today. (Judges 6:12)

 

Mighty warrior? Who was this? But the angel of the Lord just listened patiently to Gideon’s honest doubts: “... but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestorss told us about …? But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” (Judges 6:13) He didn’t answer Gideon’s questions but assured him, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” (Judges 6:13)

 

Gideon, cautious, still unsure, asked for a sign. (Judges 6:17) God patiently agreed and waited while Gideon prepared a meal which he accepted as a sacrifice. When the angel of the Lord touched it with his staff, “Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and bread” (Judges 6:21) and Gideon knew that this was God and believed; only to fear again because he’d seen God. Again, God reassured him: “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” (Judges 6:23)

 

What a transforming experience this was for Gideon as God met him where he was, patiently dealt with his crisis of faith and dispelled his fears and uncertainties. God’s greeting no longer evoked incredulity in Gideon, it became his battle cry! Gideon’s physical situation hadn’t yet changed, but his faith in God had and he was able to believe that it would.

 

Are you experiencing a crisis of faith? Are you always looking over your shoulder? Take heart! God wants to spend quality time with you, too. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8)

 

Prayer: Lord God, you are “the same yesterday and today and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Thank you that you are never far from us, your people, but that you meet us right where we are. Help me to turn to you first in every situation. Amen