Do The Works Of Jesus

That night the LORD said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack." So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. [Judges 7.9-11]

Gideon had his orders to destroy the Midianites. But, interestingly enough, God gave him a choice about going immediately to attack them or to go check it out first in case he was scared (afraid). Evidently, Gideon was scared, so he sneaked up to the Midianite camp where he heard some talk going on that encouraged him to not be afraid. In fact, what Gideon heard made him "eager" to attack.

What was it that Gideon heard that encouraged him so?

The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, “I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!” His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!” [Judges 7.12-14]

Gideon overheard two men in discussion about a dream. Amazingly enough, while Gideon was listening, one of the men said the dream was about Midian being destroyed by Gideon! How could Gideon not be encouraged by that?

So, what's the point of this?

It seems that God was quite patient with Gideon's reservations (fears) about him being able to be  a successful warrior and leader. From the beginning of Gideon's story, the Angel of the LORD called Gideon saying, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!” (Judges 6.12). It is actually quite obvious that Gideon was NOT a mighty hero, but God chose to use him as one anyway.

The point is, if God chooses us to do a job, it matters not if we think ourselves incapable.

Okay, so here it is... God HAS chosen us to do a job. We have been chosen to represent the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. So, what does that men? What does that look like?

I am glad you asked!

Like God was so patient with Gideon and even gave him an inside look at what his role looked like, God has been patient with us and given us an inside look at what our role looks like! God has given us Jesus to show us what Kingdom living looks like! And just as there was no mistaking that the Midianites even called Gideon by name, there is no mistaking that Jesus declared that His followers would do the same things He did:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

There is therefore nothing left to do but what God said to do! Do the works of Jesus!

Oh, by the way, don't be surprised is God accomplishes his work through us with less than 1% of what we would think is necessary to do so.

Father, thank You for Gideon's story that reminds me of the necessity of just doing Your will. I have all the encouragement I need in Jesus' life and ministry.