The way we live reflects our perception of God—doubts about who He is or trust in what He can accomplish. How big is your God?
Pushing through my day with a little God produces consequences. Living with fear and anxiety. Enslaved to insecurity. Everything depends on me, my mood, my reactions. Obsessing about what others think about me rather than embracing God’s big acceptance of me.
When I believe in a small God I worship without awe and suffer without hope. Not a good place to be, a life of fear, stagnation, and an inability to persevere. Scripture declares God is bigger than our circumstances.
Israel experienced a big problem—the Midianites. The Hebrews cried out again to the Lord for help against their debilitating oppressors. God reminded them that He delivered them from their Egyptian slave masters and will deliver them again.
In the midst of their suffering, God tells them not to cave in and worship the small gods of the surrounding culture. They failed to listen. May we not respond the same.
God so often chooses the most unlikely people. Gideon receives a surprise visit from God. Gideon feared losing what little crop he had left to the Midianites. God tells Gideon, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Gideon’s response? “You’ve got the wrong guy, I’m nothing.” Not exactly an action hero. Not a confidant Terminator.
What did Gideon believe about his God? Distant, uncaring and not powerful enough to intervene. When we live with a small god, we exist with no dreams or possibility of change. Tomorrow will be just like today, same ol’ same ol’. Our ingrained habits, failings and flaws will never change.
Like Gideon, we fear our own Midianites that seem too big for us too. Like Gideon we rationalize self-occupation and passivity. We say “No” to the greatest call on our lives. God did not say to Gideon, “You’re weak, but hey, you possess good people skills and you’re good looking.” No. God said, “I will be with you.”
Although still afraid, Gideon embraced God’s presence, and then Gideon performed an unconventional act and tore down the local places of idol worship. The locals wondered, What’s gotten into Gideon? Is this the same neighbor from before?
Is this preparation for something bigger?Gideon’s biggest test? The upcoming battle with the joined oppressive forces of the Midianites and Amalekites. Gideon rallies all the tribes and clans for the confrontation.
He tells God, “I’m laying out a fleece to confirm this decision to save Israel.” We hear, “I’ll set out a fleece to discern God’s will.” This fleece idea? Not exactly a positive thing here. Why? God already told the Israelites that He’d save them through Gideon.
The fleece was not an expression of faith, but represents an immature manipulating of faith. Have you ever tested God? Gideon tests God twice. Sound familiar?
God commands Gideon to reduce his fighting force. The Midianites outnumber Gideon’s band of men by 450 to 1. Good job, God, just what I would have done. God’s reason for this? The battle was God’s—not Gideon’s. Fear not Gideon, because I’m with you. God showed up with an unexplainable deliverance.
Feeling anxious? Worrying about the uncontrollable stuff in your life? You know what? God is bigger than all your regrets and all your problems.
God intimately understands your doubts, challenges, and worries. He knows about your kids, what you’ve lost, your pain, your broken relationships, your hopes and dreams. And God desires better things for you.
If you ask Him, He’ll be a bigger presence in your life than you’ve ever known. That is what you and I really need. Now, will you worship Him in the midst of your doubt?