7-12-2021

 Good Morning All!

      Judges 6:15; “And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” 

    This was Gideon’s response to God when Gideon was called to be a judge (leader) of the people of Israel.  It sort of sounds familiar does not it.  All we have to do is change three or four parts and it is a very common sentence.  “Please, ______ how can I_______ I am from a small congregation, and I am the least important one there.”  You can fill in the blanks and change the descriptions.  We might be new to the church or just got a new job or we lack time; then we add the final qualifier besides, I am not that good, there is someone better, I have never done that, etc. take your pick.

    This is not meant as a criticism, just an observation.  I do the same thing.  Wouldn’t it be nice if Christianity came with a boost in our confidence?  God could zap us with extra confidence, and we would always be able to give that good account, to answer any question at any time.  Yet we often wobble when our shoulder is tapped.  We often demurely beg off when asked to serve.  Some of it is humility, some of it is fear, and some of it is a doubt that exists in us. 

    We all have the “doubt card” and we play it often.  When faced with a new situation, most of us are somewhat hesitant and a little reluctant.  This is not always a bad thing.  A little doubt can be healthy for us especially when we doubt our ability and skills.  The power of salvation, or of witnessing or of doing good works does not lie within us but rather begins outside of us in the person of Christ.

     When we doubt our self, we see that we are unable to accomplish anything.  It is then that we need to rely on God for all our needs.  It is then that we live by faith.  Faith is living in a daring, confidence in God’s grace.  It is trusting in His promise to provide for us in all our needs.  We often fear giving a witness to our faith; afraid we will say the wrong thing.  Yet God promises to speak for us at that time.  Keep it simple and short.  We do not need to dazzle anyone just give the witness to what you know.  Jesus died for us so that we could be brought back into God’s design.  Jesus died so that we could be made human again.  Jesus died so that I can live in the loving arms of God.

      We may feel little or insignificant in this world and to this world we may be very insignificant.  Yet to God you are very important; we are the ones whom God chose to let his Son die for.  So as the world feeds into our insecurities, God is overcoming them with his grace.  When the world tells us that we cannot do it; God tells us he already has.  We are called to be God’s witnesses and we can do it because of the love that Christ has for us and because of the Spirit which He fills us with.  No one can ever take us from God’s love, no matter how small you feel; God surrounds you with his loving and gracious arms.  Trust his promises and trust his mercies and you can do whatever He wants you to do.

Dear Father, we are often slow to answer your call to serve.  Forgive us.  Give us the faith to trust in your promises and the confidence to do your will.  Lead us in the paths of your righteousness.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret