More Than Able: Week 2 | Divine Calling: God Wants to Use You Despite Your Weaknesses

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. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, 'Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!' 'Sir,' Gideon replied, 'if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, "The Lord brought us up out of Egypt"? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.' Then the Lord turned to him and said, 'Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!' '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!' The Lord said to him, 'I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.' - Judges 6:11-16

In Judges 6:11-16, we encounter the story of Gideon, a man who initially saw himself as weak and inadequate but was chosen by God for a remarkable purpose. This passage illustrates a profound truth: God desires to use you, even when you feel your weaknesses overshadow your abilities. Let's explore and discover how our weaknesses reveal God's unwavering commitment to work through imperfect vessels.

1. Recognizing God's Calling
Gideon, initially seen as a "mighty hero" by the angel of the Lord, doubted his calling. In verse 13, he questioned why God allowed their suffering. However, as Jeremiah 1:4-5 reminds us, God knew Gideon before his birth, just as He knows you and has a purpose for you: "The Lord gave me this message: 'I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.'"

2. God's Assurance in Weakness
Gideon felt the weakest among his clan, but God's response in verse 16 is profound: "I will be with you." This assurance highlights that God's presence and power are sufficient to overcome your weaknesses. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 affirms, God's grace empowers you in your weakness: "Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."

3. Obedience Overcomes Weakness
In verse 14, God told Gideon to "Go with the strength you have." Your willingness to step out in faith, despite your weaknesses, can lead to incredible feats, just as the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11:32-34 accomplished remarkable things: "How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength."

4. God's Faithfulness
God's promise in verse 16 that Gideon would "destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man" demonstrates His faithfulness to His chosen vessels, despite their shortcomings. As Philippians 1:6 assures us, God is faithful to complete the work He began in you: "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

In conclusion, the story of Gideon in Judges 6:11-16 stands as a testament to God's unshakable desire to work through individuals, regardless of their perceived weaknesses. Just as Gideon questioned his own capabilities, you may have doubts about your adequacy for the tasks set before you. However, remember that God's vision for your life goes beyond your limitations. Embrace His calling with faith, knowing that His unwavering presence and promise to be with you will transform your weaknesses into strengths. Your doubts and vulnerabilities are not roadblocks; they are opportunities for God's boundless strength and faithfulness to shine brilliantly through you, leading to extraordinary accomplishments beyond your wildest dreams. Trust in His plan, for with God, you are not just capable; you are destined for greatness.