Light for the Path

Have you ever felt like God was calling you to do something but you felt inadequate to do it? Or maybe you are stuck in indecision so you continually ask God for signs. Is this really what You want me to do?

God calls us to all kinds of things, big and small. Maybe He’s calling you to a new career, a new hobby, or a different ministry. Maybe He’s asking you to mentor the younger woman you live next door to, go on a mission trip, or start a small business. Perhaps you’ve been feeling the nudge to start a blog, foster a child, or join a small group. Even with exciting possibilities, maybe you sit frozen in fear. Maybe you keep asking God to confirm, confirm, confirm. Give me a sign.

You are not alone.

I found myself reading about Gideon in the book of Judges the other day. This devotional caught my attention so I began to read about how God called and equipped Gideon. Judges 6:11-27 details how the Lord sent an angel to Gideon to tell him that He would work through Gideon to save Israel from the Midianites. Gideon immediately began to give God excuses about how his clan was the weakest and how He couldn’t possibly be the one to save Israel.

Excuses. Disbelief. Sound familiar? No, just me? There have been many times in my own life when I have felt the Lord call me to do something and I’ve given Him a bunch of excuses instead.

But the Lord in His kindness was patient with Gideon and assured him that He would be with Him. Gideon still lacked the faith that he needed to move forward in the task that God called him to and he asked for a sign, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me (6:17).” He needed proof. God was gracious and waited for Gideon, fulfilling the sign that he had asked for. After receiving the confirmation he needed, Gideon then took the next step that the Lord had asked of him by destroying the altar of Baal.

What stands out to me next in this story is that Gideon continued to ask God for signs that he really was supposed to save Israel from Midian. He still didn’t believe that he could do it, hence the sign of the fleece in verses 36-40. Gideon asked God for not one more sign, but two! He had been in the presence of an angel of the Lord and he still needed confirmation. Makes me feel a little better about myself!

I think that Gideon was a lot like me in some ways, not an impulsive decision maker, but meticulous, thoughtful, and somewhat slow to act because he didn’t want to make the wrong decision. Do you know what I love about this story? God was patient with Gideon and continued to give him the signs and confirmation that he needed to keep going.

When Gideon was on his journey to conquer the Midianites, God gave him more confirmation. “That same night the Lord said to him, ‘Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.’ (Judges 7:9-11).”

God knew that Gideon still needed affirmation from Him and He was gracious to give it! Of course Gideon jumped at the opportunity to be strengthened (and to see another sign from the Lord) and went to the camp before he went against the Midianites.

This part of the story has a happy outcome for Gideon. He was skeptical and filled with fear and doubt, but he eventually acted in obedience to the Lord. God not only saw his lack of faith, but He had compassion and patience with Gideon. He meets us where we are and strengthens our faith as we go.

God called Gideon to action, and as Christ followers, we are being called to action too. Your assignment might look different than mine but our goal should be the same, to follow God in all that we do.

How do you know what God wants you to do? Study His word and pray. He will reveal the plans He has for us and guide us through His word. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” So dig into His Word and watch the path in front you be illuminated.

As we grow our relationship with Him through reading the Bible and prayer, we will gain faith and confidence. As our faith grows, we will meet Him with excitement rather than excuses.