Meditation

Read Judges 6:11-16

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

—Judges 6:12 (NIV)

Mighty warrior. What a strange greeting! The title didn’t seem to fit Gideon at all. He did not look like a brave hero. He looked more like a frightened farmer. He was threshing wheat in secret to hide it from invaders. Fearful and discouraged, he was convinced that the Lord had abandoned his people. Even more, Gideon considered himself the least important person in his family. How could he possibly be called a mighty warrior? And how could the Lord trust him with the task of rescuing God’s people?

Meditating on this story, I can understand Gideon’s reluctance to accept the lofty title and task. It’s easy for me to feel similarly unqualified when God calls me “ambassador for Christ” and trusts me with the ministry of reconciliation. (See 2 Cor. 5:19-20.) Who am I to bear such a lofty title and task?

But the promise of God’s constant presence is what allows us to fill the role and live up to that title. “The Lord is with you,” said the angel to Gideon. “I am with you always,” says Christ to his ambassadors (Matt. 28:20). Christ’s empowering presence qualifies us to do God’s work in the world.

Prayer—Dear Lord Jesus, with the sure promise of your presence, we serve gladly as your ambassadors. Amen.

Thought for the Day—Christ empowers me to do God’s work in the world.

—Marion Speicher Brown, Florida