From Questioning to Confident

And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” Judges 7:15 (New King James Version)

Gideon’s battle cry to the camp of Israel stunned me when I read it this morning! The word “has” caught my attention immediately. The battle against the camp of Midian had not yet taken place but Gideon was so confident of the outcome that he used a past tense verb phrase. THIS from a man who needed further proof after a visit from an angel. THIS from a man who put out not one, but two fleeces, because he struggled so much with self-doubt, fear and unbelief. THIS from a man who had just witnessed God shrink his army from 32,000 strong to 300 not so strong. THIS from a man who felt like less than the least in his nation and family. What happened?!

Gideon finally got it! God allowed him to overhear a conversation between two men from Midian as they talked about a dream and its interpretation (Judges 7:13,14). It was the “proof” he needed to bring about the courage and confidence he lacked. Once this took place he moved forward without a shred of doubt or apprehension. Can you hear the conviction in his voice as he calls his army to attention and lays out the battle plan? I not only hear it but I want it!

I want the confidence Gideon demonstrated but often feel more like pre-confident Gideon. Circumstances can make me wonder if I will make it. Personal weaknesses can cause me to doubt I will see victory in this life time. Past failures can continue to define my present walk. Perceptions can convince me others have given up on me. These are all links to a chain that encircles my life with much weight and noise! So where do I begin to dissemble the chain and walk in confidence?

For me, confidence will come as I lay hold of God’s promises in His Word. Promises of victory. Promises of Him never leaving me. Promises of His continual presence. Promises of His power. It will also come as I observe what He has done and continues to do in the lives of others (past and present). It will come through moments of prayer where I pour out my thanksgiving and thoughts to God. It will come as I depend more and more upon Him to do what I cannot do. It will come with remembering that Gideon’s confidence had very little to do with him and everything to do with the One who called him.

Father, strengthen me from the inside out. Change this questioning doubtful woman into a woman of dignity and confidence in You. Amen.

My Life Is In You, Lord
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0M0NALW7EM&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.