Embracing God's Call: Faith Amidst Fear
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound narrative of Gideon from the Book of Judges, drawing parallels between his story and our own lives. Gideon, an unlikely hero, was called by God during a time of great fear and oppression by the Midianites, much like the historical fear of Viking raids in Northern Europe. Despite his initial fear and uncertainty, Gideon was chosen to lead and deliver his people, illustrating how God often calls upon those who seem least likely to fulfill His purposes. This story reminds us that God’s presence is the key to overcoming our fears and uncertainties. Just as God assured Gideon of His presence, He assures us today that He is with us, guiding us through our own challenges and uncertainties.
Gideon's story is a testament to the fact that God’s call often requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to let go of the familiar, and to trust in His plan. This is a call to faith, to believe that God can do great things through us, even when we feel inadequate or afraid. The peace that God offers is not just a concept but is embodied in His presence with us. This peace is what Jesus promised to His disciples, a peace that surpasses understanding and is rooted in a relationship with God.
As we reflect on our own lives, we are reminded that God’s call may lead us to new paths, requiring us to leave behind old ways and embrace new opportunities. This is a journey of faith, where we trust in God’s provision and guidance, even when the future is uncertain. Like Gideon, we may seek signs and assurances, and while God may not always provide the answers we seek, He promises to be with us, to guide us, and to bring us peace.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Presence in Uncertainty: Gideon's story highlights that God's presence is the foundation for overcoming fear and uncertainty. Despite Gideon's initial fear, God called him a "mighty man of valor," showing that our identity and strength come from God's presence with us. This assurance is echoed in Jesus' promise to be with us always, providing the courage to face our challenges. [37:13]
- The Call to Step Out in Faith: God's call often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in His plan. Gideon had to leave his hiding place and embrace his role as a leader. Similarly, we are called to let go of the familiar and trust in God's guidance, knowing that He equips us for the tasks He sets before us. [45:01]
- Peace Through Relationship with God: The peace that God offers is not merely an absence of conflict but is found in His presence with us. Gideon's altar, "The Lord is Peace," symbolizes the peace that comes from a relationship with God. Jesus extends this peace to us, inviting us into a deeper relationship with the Father through the Holy Spirit. [41:10]
- God's Patience with Our Doubts: Gideon's repeated requests for signs reflect our own struggles with doubt and uncertainty. Yet, God is patient with us, providing reassurance and guidance as we seek to understand His will. This patience encourages us to bring our doubts and questions to God, trusting in His faithfulness. [39:34]
- Transformation Through Small Steps of Faith: The apostles' willingness to let down their nets despite their doubts illustrates how small steps of faith can lead to significant transformation. God works through our acts of obedience, no matter how small, to accomplish His purposes and bring about change in our lives and communities. [50:46]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[32:11] - Historical Context: Fear of the Vikings
[34:18] - The Cycle of Judges
[36:15] - Gideon's Unlikely Call
[37:13] - God's Assurance to Gideon
[38:11] - Gideon's Honest Questions
[39:34] - Signs and God's Patience
[41:10] - The Lord is Peace
[43:01] - Jesus' Promise of Peace
[45:01] - Stepping Out in Faith
[46:45] - Discernment and Trust
[48:06] - The Power of the Gospel
[49:42] - Trust in a Person, Not a Plan
[50:46] - Small Steps of Faith
[52:14] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Judges 6:11-24
2. Matthew 28:18-20
3. John 14:27
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was Gideon doing when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and why was this significant? [36:15]
2. How did God address Gideon when He first spoke to him, and what does this reveal about God's perspective on Gideon? [37:13]
3. What was Gideon's initial reaction to God's call, and how did God respond to his doubts? [39:34]
4. What did Gideon build after his encounter with God, and what did he name it? What does this signify? [41:10]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Gideon's story illustrate the concept of God using unlikely individuals for His purposes? [36:15]
2. In what ways does God's assurance to Gideon parallel Jesus' promise to His disciples in the Great Commission? [37:13]
3. How does the peace that God offers differ from the peace the world offers, according to the sermon? [43:01]
4. What does Gideon's repeated request for signs tell us about human nature and God's patience? [39:34]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate or afraid. How can Gideon's story encourage you to trust in God's presence during such times? [36:15]
2. Are there areas in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone? What steps can you take to respond to this call? [45:01]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God to experience the peace that surpasses understanding? [43:01]
4. When faced with doubts or uncertainties, how do you typically respond? How can you bring these doubts to God, trusting in His faithfulness? [39:34]
5. Identify a small step of faith you can take this week. How might this step lead to transformation in your life or community? [50:46]
6. Consider a situation where you are seeking signs or confirmations from God. How can you discern His guidance and be open to His leading, even if the answers are not clear? [46:45]
7. How can you support others in your community who may be experiencing fear or uncertainty, drawing from the lessons in Gideon's story? [49:42]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Presence Transforms Fear into Valor
Gideon's story is a powerful reminder that God's presence is the foundation for overcoming fear and uncertainty. Despite Gideon's initial fear, God called him a "mighty man of valor," showing that our identity and strength come from God's presence with us. This assurance is echoed in Jesus' promise to be with us always, providing the courage to face our challenges. When we feel inadequate or afraid, we can find comfort in knowing that God is with us, guiding us through our own challenges and uncertainties. [37:13]
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to embrace God's presence to transform your fear into courage today?
Day 2: Stepping Out of Comfort Zones in Faith
God's call often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in His plan. Gideon had to leave his hiding place and embrace his role as a leader. Similarly, we are called to let go of the familiar and trust in God's guidance, knowing that He equips us for the tasks He sets before us. This journey of faith involves taking risks and trusting that God will provide the strength and resources needed to fulfill His purposes. [45:01]
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific step you can take today to step out of your comfort zone and trust in God's plan for your life?
Day 3: Experiencing Peace Through Relationship with God
The peace that God offers is not merely an absence of conflict but is found in His presence with us. Gideon's altar, "The Lord is Peace," symbolizes the peace that comes from a relationship with God. Jesus extends this peace to us, inviting us into a deeper relationship with the Father through the Holy Spirit. This peace surpasses understanding and is rooted in a relationship with God, providing us with a sense of calm and assurance even in the midst of life's storms. [41:10]
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God today to experience His peace more fully in your life?
Day 4: Embracing God's Patience with Our Doubts
Gideon's repeated requests for signs reflect our own struggles with doubt and uncertainty. Yet, God is patient with us, providing reassurance and guidance as we seek to understand His will. This patience encourages us to bring our doubts and questions to God, trusting in His faithfulness. We are reminded that God understands our struggles and is willing to meet us where we are, offering the guidance and support we need to move forward in faith. [39:34]
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5, ESV)
Reflection: What doubts or questions do you need to bring to God today, trusting in His patience and faithfulness to guide you?
Day 5: Transformation Through Small Steps of Faith
The apostles' willingness to let down their nets despite their doubts illustrates how small steps of faith can lead to significant transformation. God works through our acts of obedience, no matter how small, to accomplish His purposes and bring about change in our lives and communities. By taking small steps of faith, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God, allowing Him to work in and through us to achieve His greater plans. [50:46]
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What small step of faith can you take today to allow God to work through you for His purposes?
Quotes
God speaks to Gideon in verse 12, and he says to him, The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor. And we might look at Gideon hiding. I think he looks like anything but a mighty man of valor. But that's what the Lord calls him, because God is going to raise up Gideon to be more than he has been and to do greater things for God's people. [00:36:43] (25 seconds)
And one of the really striking things about this passage is as God draws near to Gideon to call him, to commission him, the very first words out of Gideon's mouth are these. In verse 13, he says, If the Lord is with us, why has all of this happened? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us? [00:38:01] (22 seconds)
And I think it's a perfectly understandable response for Gideon in the midst of all this to bring his complaint honestly before the Lord. And you know what else is really striking? The Lord doesn't really give him an answer to his question. Instead, he gives him a commission to go and put an end, to the oppression of the Midianites. [00:38:50] (25 seconds)
But Gideon is still plagued by uncertainty. You'll see this a lot if you go home, which I encourage you to do. Go home, read the whole chapter and the next chapter, and you can see Gideon's story. So, he wants assurance, and he asks for a sign, and God gives him one. [00:39:34] (14 seconds)
And when God gives him a sign, Gideon says, okay, can I have another sign? And I think, again, you see a man who's got fear, he's got uncertainty, he's not sure what's going on, but God is patient with him, and God bears with him, just as he does with all of us when that's where we are. [00:40:06] (20 seconds)
At the end of this chapter, at this little passage we just read in verse 23 and verse 24, it says that Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and he called it, the Lord is peace. I think it's so beautiful. The Lord is peace. [00:41:21] (15 seconds)
And what brings peace, and I love the way this is unfolded in Gideon's story, what brings peace is not simply an idea or a really clever answer to a tough theological question. What brings peace is a person, is the Lord himself with his people, with Gideon, a living person, the Lord who calls us, who challenges us, who lifts us up. He is our peace. [00:42:32] (29 seconds)
And that struck me not only that Jesus has peace as he is about to go face all these horrors for us, but that his own peace, the peace that he experiences in his relationship with the Father by the work of the Holy Spirit, his peace is what he wants to share with us. As he draws us into relationship with the Father, teaches us to call him our Father, sends his Holy Spirit into our hearts so that we can call him Abba, Father, that relationship is how that peace happens in our lives as we call out to Jesus, as we hold on to Jesus. [00:43:19] (40 seconds)
Very often, the call of the Lord on our life involves letting something go, as well as doing something new. You think about Peter, Simon, Peter, James, and John. They leave their nets, they leave their boats, they leave their comfortable ways of doing things in order to go with Jesus. [00:45:01] (19 seconds)
And maybe you might even find yourself like Gideon, like asking God for signs and confirmations, Lord, I think. But maybe I can tell you sometimes God actually will answer that prayer and give you a sign. I've had that experience. And then you're kind of like, well, I guess I have to do this now because it's pretty clear. Sometimes he doesn't. [00:46:26] (20 seconds)
And God, the Lord, Jesus, does something amazing with that little step of faithfulness. And that's how it is so often in our lives. Sometimes we miss out on those things because we haven't taken that little step of faithfulness. But when we do, when we let down our nets, even if we don't understand what exactly this is about, Jesus can do amazing things. And he does amazing things. [00:50:46] (26 seconds)
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