Have you ever needed help from another person to accomplish a task? I believe most of us realize that we can’t always do things on our own. Gideon had been given an assignment by God and he didn’t see how he could possibly complete it. Judges 6:15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” 16 The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” [1]
Gideon could not do what the Lord asked him on his own, but he could do it if the Lord was with him. This also holds true for all us. Fear is one of Satan’s most popular and effective weapons that he uses against us. Satan will lie to us and tell us that God doesn’t care and isn’t with us.
Have you ever felt that way before? If you have, you are not alone. We have all felt at some point that God is distant. But nothing could be farther from the truth. God repeatedly promises in His Word that He is always with us. Not only that, He has proven both in the Bible and even in our lives today that He is with us.
We might think that bad times means God is absent. But remember in Bible times, God was there even during war, famine, flood, and even storms. God is with us always and promises to never leave us nor forsake us. In our story, the Lord reassured Gideon that He was with him.
The best way we remind ourselves of God’s constant presence is the promises in God’s Word. Here are three scriptures that assure us that God is with us always.
Joshua 1:9 – “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” [2]
Zephaniah 3:17 –For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” [3]
Matthew 28:20 – Jesus said, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [4] To hear more of Gideon’s story, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/the-call/the-call-gideon
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.