I’m Just Surviving!!!

In Judges 6, the Israelites were so oppressed by enemy nations, they were literally starving to death. Everything they would plant, the enemy would come and destroy and also take all their livestock. So when we arrive to the story of Gideon, it makes his calling even more unique and exposes an awesome truth about God. When we are just focused on surviving God sees us as thriving.

Judges 6:11-12 says, “Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”

Uhm, wait. Did that angel just call Gideon a mighty hero?! Why yes. Yes he did. Yet, what was this mighty hero doing when the angel showed up? He was hiding food from enemy raiders. Gideon was in survival mode. He was just trying to make it through today. Yet, when the angel addresses him it was in the future present tense.

Obviously to us, Gideon didn’t look like a hero at that moment. However, God is not limited by our present. He is not bound by our circumstances. When He gives us a task, assignment, and calling He often addresses us as if it’s already been completed. He often addresses us as if we already got to “Z”.

I believe God is an optimist. He isn’t swayed or discouraged by what we’ve done, been through, or going through. He doesn’t look at us and think things can’t get better and we can’t be better. He’s not a glass half empty God. He’s not even a glass half full God. He‘s a cup running over kind of God. (Luke 6:38) He not only sees our potential, He sees that potential already carried out. When God tasks us, assigns us, or calls us, He gives us two things; the hope needed and encouragement needed to do it.

In Isaiah 41 God calls the nation of Israel His chosen one. However where was this chosen nation currently? Exiled in Babylon! In verses 9-10 God says, “I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

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God called Israel His chosen even though they seemed anything but that. Israel was just trying to survive their captivity. God stepped in with hope and encouragement for the calling He gave.

Additionally, let’s look at Joshua. He was picked to lead Israel after Moses. Joshua did not feel equipped to do it because you see how God speaks with Him. In Joshua 1, God tells him multiple times to be strong and courageous and not to fear. He tells him He is with Him and He will go before him. Hope and encouragement. Hope and encouragement when what God asks us to do seems beyond our capacity to do it. And technically it is beyond our capacity but, it is NEVER beyond God’s capacity.

Moreover God never said to Joshua “if you can do this”, as if Joshua’s being the right person was in question. No. If God singles you out it’s because you are the right person. What God placed “if’s” around was obedience. In verse 7 God tells Joshua “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.” When God calls us, our part is obedience. Do what He asked, when He asked, and how He asked. Gideon goes on to do what God asked and that brought his future into his present.

Today you may feel like you are just surviving. You are frustrated just living day to day or moment to moment because you can’t imagine any type of change. Know that God sees you thriving. Whatever task, calling, or assignment He’s given you He sees the finished result. He sees your success. Look for the hope and encouragement He has for you because it is there. All God is requiring to put this in motion today is obedience. Obedience pulls us from the gutter and places us in the palace. God rewards obedience. God wants you and sees you thriving!