God’s Response to Gideon’s Fear Part 2

In the last post we talked about the fact that Gideon seemed to have an open heart that desired to believe and obey God. Today I want to share the steps I see that God took to deal with Gideon’s fear when God told him to fight the Midianites that had been oppressing Israel for seven years. If you’re not familiar with the story of Gideon you’ll enjoy reading about it in Judges 6 and 7.

Step 1: God met Gideon where he was. God initiated an encounter with Gideon right in the winepress where he hid for fear of the Midianites. (Judges 6:11) God will do that for us, too.

In the midst of dealing with an injury that incapacitated me for a season, I woke up one morning to God hear God say I needed to deal with the fear involved…fear I would never get better, fear of using the injured area. My response, “I know God, but this fear is too big for me to handle alone. I need help.” An hour or so later my friend called and asked to come over. In her prayer time that day God told her I needed help to deal with fear. She spent a couple hours listening, asking questions, and finally praying. That day began the breakthrough of fear regarding physical status that held me captive for years. God met me where I was.

Step 2: God shows Gideon the way to conquer fear is through Him. God calls Gideon a mighty warrior, even though he’s hiding. Then He says, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.” (Judges 6:16) He is a mighty warrior because the Lord is with him, not the other way around. It is God who will do the work, who will bring the victory.

It doesn’t matter what fear we are facing, the key is knowing (in your heart kind of knowing) who will fight the battle. It’s God, not us. God is the one with our reputation in His hand. God is the one who will provide our house payment, our food, our medical needs. (Even a port-a-potty when needed. See http://www.sarahparsons.me/2014/08/that-time-god-met-me-in-a-port-a-potty-and-the-locker-room-at-24-hour-fitness.html)

Step 3: God didn’t get upset when Gideon asked Him to confirm he heard correctly. Gideon brought an offering which the LORD touched with the tip of his staff. Fire flared and consumed the meat and the bread. A sure and clear sign, but nowhere do we read that God got angry with Gideon over this. (Judges 6: 17-22) Again, Gideon appears to want to believe, he just needs help to get there.

God also does not get upset with us when we genuinely need to confirm it is Him talking. Remember to make sure what you are hearing is consistent with what the Bible says and with the character of God. Then if you’re still not sure, ask.

Step 4: At this Gideon finally realizes he has seen God and fears death. (Judges 6:22) But The Lord says to him, “Peace. Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” In the midst of life’s trials it often feels like we are facing death, but God reassures us…”Peace! Do not be afraid.”

Step 5: God gives him a smaller job to tackle first. God told Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. An important step on many levels, what did God accomplish through this?

Gideon obeyed even though he feared his family and the men of the town. His trust in God trumped the fear. (Judges 6: 27)
Gideon took help along with him. He took ten servants. (Judges 6:27) Sometimes we need help.
God protected Gideon when the men of the town wanted to kill him in response to his actions. The very person he likely offended the most, his father, intervened, “If Baal is really a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” (Judges 6: 31b)
Gideon saw firsthand that God protected him in a dangerous situation, so his faith and trust in God grew.

Step 6: God once again is patient with Gideon when he asks for reassurance, not once, but twice. Gideon is most famous for this part of the story. He puts a wool fleece on the threshing floor and says, “If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, I will know You will save Israel by my hand, as You said. And that’s what happened. (Judges 6: 37-38)

Gideon asks God to not be angry, but asks Him to do just the opposite the next night…fleece dry and ground wet. God does it. (Judges 6:39-40)

A key to this passage that I missed for most of my life is that Gideon had already started obeying when he stopped to ask God for this reassurance. The Spirit of the Lord had come upon him and he had summoned troops from Abiezer and from four of the tribes of Israel. They went up to meet Gideon, and then he asked for reassurance. So, even when he still had residual fear, he continued to obey. (Judges 6:33-35)

Step 7: Lastly, my favorite step. God had whittled Gideon’s army down to only three hundred men. During the night God told him to go fight against the Midianite camp “because I am going to give it into your hands.” He continues, “If you are afraid to attack go down…and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged…” (Judges 7:9-11) Gideon didn’t even ask for reassurance this time. God gave it to him anyway.

Gideon arrived at the camp just as a man was telling a friend his dream about a barley loaf tumbling into camp and collapsing the tent. The friend responded that it meant Gideon would attack and God had given the Midianite camp into his hands. (Judges 7: 13-14)

Gideon worshipped God. He returned to camp and gave orders for the attack.

riends, God cares about our fears.