the God of Gideon
August 2, 2010
“Go in the strength you have…”
That’s what God told Gideon. And that’s what He tells me.
Every single day.
He doesn’t tell me to muster up more strength. He doesn’t pat me on the back and say, “Good luck with that!” And He doesn’t say I should just buck it up and keep going.
He says He’s given me exactly enough strength for exactly what my day holds. No matter what.
I have everything I need to face today.
So here I go.
Are you coming?
He has chosen my path for me — and gave me no choice but to walk that path, thorns and thickets included.
but nor. . .i am so thankful that through the thorns and thickets, the Author of our stories already knows the ending and is penning a more beautiful novel than we can imagine. . .i cling to that on my most difficult days. . .
Of course, it should noted — in bold print — that I do not like thorns and thickets.
@mat2820b says:
You make me smile :)
Follow me, I’ll be right behind you.
@mat2820b says:
This reminds me of the times (a life-time ago it seems,) when Adam and I were in the very worst place our marriage has been, and I would scream at night sometimes, into my pillow “I CAN’T DO THIS ANY MORE”!!
And God’s quiet, unobtrusive voice would always respond
“Yes you can”
@gritandglory says:
i’m listening for His “yes you can” today, jen…
Yep!
I just could not help but laugh at the “Good luck with that” comment…. Oh the many times others have said those words to me…. but yes, you are right, God does not say that to us. He always goes with us where ever we go…. He is our strength.
Hm. So sitting around waiting for more strength is not a good idea? ;)
I’m in! Let’s go!
Go in the strength you have. Am I sending you?
That is the strength I have: He is sending me. He knows the path. He is with me.
Even through this…. (fill in your own this)
I’m coming. And I love knowing I am properly equipped.
@persimmonpulp says:
It was a hard lesson for me to learn – that the only strength I seem to have some (most) days is His strength. I remember the chorus of a song by Plumb was on repeat play in my head for days – weeks even! Crying out “I Can’t Do This!”
But God can.
And if I lack the strength to do what He has called me to do, I know that He has more than enough for me. Well, most days I know that! But some days it can be easy to forget. Thankfully God gives me gentle reminders that He is my strength.
With that said – let’s go!
@gritandglory says:
it’s easy for me to forget too… thus the Gideon reminder to myself!
This is so amazing. I read something simuliar to this in my devotions today. It was in “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. It talks about the teaching of adversity. “God does not give us overcoming of life-He gives us life as we overcome” One thing that I read this morning that kind of reminded me of what you wrote today
“God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our tempation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But at saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.”
@gritandglory says:
i was reminded of that same thing as i was writing this… that i won’t have tomorrow’s strength today, but i’ll have it in the exact moment i need it.
thank you, brittany!
brittney. . .i love the line, “but a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversaries, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone except God.” what an incredibly powerful truth!!! right now i am trusting the Lord for the impossible and i am so thankful He is the Victor.
I’m so happy you posted this today! This seems to be something I’m continually asking God for each day. More strength. But He has given me what I need so long as I remember to turn to him at every moment of doubt.
So needed to hear this today!!
@traceepersiko says:
I’m in!
@atangie says:
Lovely post, Alece.
So I see on the sidebar that you are going to the Story conference in Chicago. That is wonderful! Soooo wish I could be there for that!
@gritandglory says:
i’m excited about that recent development!
Thank you for this. Gideon has long been one of my favorite folks in the Bible. His story has resonated with me in many ways. Needed this reminder today.
I’m in. Tracking right with you…
Love it! Amen! Thanks for sharing it. Needed to hear this!!
@kamriereed says:
This is something I have been thinking about too. I have continually asked God to give me certain things to ease the pain of the situation I am in, but then God kindly reminds me that his grace is sufficient for me and that through my weakness he is strong.
So God I am trying to realize it is not that I need all of these new things to make the situation better but what I really need is to have confidence that you have prepared me for what you called me to do.
That verse is one I’ll never forget, because of the way God used it in my life about 3 years ago in regards to being reconciled with someone. How I love when verses are just carved right into your heart like that, never, ever to be forgotten because it’s like God’s finger itself wrote them on you, like the 10 Commandments on a slab of stone.
For some reason, this post reminds me of a T-shirt I saw on the plane once (that I of course wrote down and put in my quote journal later): “If you’re not the leader of the pack, the view never changes.”
That’s how I see you — someone who’s leading because she isn’t content with living someone else’s view. Who isn’t content with the status quo view. Who knows she isn’t supposed to be, that she is made for more. Who actually helps others to see the view differently, too.
You’re so gonna crest this mountain soon. And what a view it will be.
@gritandglory says:
wow, lisa… thank you!
thanks for this alece. i needed to read this today. it’s so hard to remember these days. oftentimes i FEEL like i DON’T have the strength for today…for this moment. but i have to remember the Truth of His Word…because THAT is the truth, not my feelings or the “voices” i hear that are not His.
grab onto His strength girl, i’m fighting with you!
Love this.
every day He brings new strength.
thank you for the reminder.
amen. amen. and amen. i feel like i cling to this truth most everyday. knowing that the Lord already knows what my afternoon and evenings hold when i wake up in the morning and that the measure of grace and strength He gives me for that day is sufficient is just such a blessing.
are you doing a bible study through the old testament?? if so i would love to know what it is. . .i have gone back to the faith of gideon and elijah so much as i am walking this difficult journey — faith for the impossible. if you are doing a study, i would love to grab it and learn more. . .
praying for you right now!!
ps. love the reference to this same truth in lamentations 3 as well. . .
@gritandglory says:
i’m not doing a study, i’m just a huge old testament girl! i love how many rich truths are in the stories and lives there….
sounds great. . .i think i am going to take a visit to the old testament after my current camp out in romans 8. . . :)
as a kid, i did the minor prophets in bible study fellowship with my dad. unfortunately, most of my old testament knowledge ((other than psalms, proverbs, job, and SOS)) is from that study. i was about 6 then, so i think it is time to revisit those beautiful stories of such great faith. . .
@PrudyChick says:
God gives us only the strength we need for today. Never less obviously. Never more because we don’t need that extra strength.
ps..I’m comin’.
prudence. . .i also think He doesn’t give us more so that we never fall under the illusion that we have enough strength in and of our own selves. . .it keeps us trusting, relying, and remembering how helpless we really are. . .
@PrudyChick says:
Amen. We think to easily that we can do it all on our own.
@thevelvettrunk says:
Yes Mam I am… Love you girl! =)
-Mel
My mentor and I are studying Ephesians right now, and Ephesians 1:3 talks about how we have every spiritual blessing in Christ. One of my major struggles is that I feel the need to verbally process everything… and it’s something I need to remember that the resource I have in Christ is wisdom and strength and every spiritual blessing. I keep praying to remember this and to grow. It’s a slow process…
YAY!!!! Love it.