called by His name

Throughout the Old Testament, there are many moments where the children of Israel are in need of a leader. They continue to rebel, kill and forget the Lord their God, so He finally raises up Gideon to be their deliverer. In Judges 6, God calls Gideon to lead the people. We learn of God's love for us, in the way that He calls Gideon and encourages him to carry out the commands.

 Judges 6:11-12 says, "The angel of the Lord came, and he sat under the oak that was in Ophrah,  which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.” What stood out to me at first was the proximity of the angel. Gideon had not realised he was there, yet he was so close. It made me wonder in awe at how many times we go about our lives or mundane tasks, and forget to realise how close angels are to us. God has sent them to protect, guide and fight for us and to be our messengers. How amazing is that? This shows God's love for us, in that He is always close, even if we don't see.

Secondly, once the angel had made himself known to Gideon, he called him by name. We're all aware of that phrase saying, "The devils calls you by your sin but God calls you by name." but to see that in action within the bible is so beautiful to see. In Hebrews, Gideon means 'warrior' which is how the angel addressed him. It also means 'to cut down' which is the command that God gives him later on. Judges 6:25 "On that very night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old. Then tear down the altar of Baal  that belongs to your father and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."

Even though Gideon made an excuse about being the youngest and being from the weakest family of Manasseh, God encouraged and empowered him. He told Gideon that he would strike Israel down as if it were one man and even promised to be with him through it. We can learn from reading this, how easy it is to disqualify ourselves from things. We think we're too old to try something new, too young, too weak, too shy...the list goes on. God knows and still loves us and still knows who He called us to be. Just how He knew we could never measure up to living a life without sin so sent His one and only Son to die on our behalf and cover our multitude of sin. That is love.

God made Gideon see who He had made him to be. He changed his mindset from focusing on his own strength and understanding and onto who the Lord said he was. With man it is impossible but with God it is possible. He did the same for Moses, Gideon and many others, and He can do the same for you!

Task: Search up the meaning of your name. If you can find the Hebrew meaning as well, find it. Find out what it means. it is not a coincidence. Meditate on what you think God is trying to tell you about how He made you to be and the strengths and gifts He has blessed you with. You lack nothing, when God is with You. Do not disqualify yourself.