Fear and Doubt Alleviated

Verse of the day: Judges 7:9, It happened on the same night that the LORD said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.

The story of Gideon, like many other instances in Scripture, shows how merciful God is when He is dealing with doubt and fear in our lives. Gideon was given more than enough evidence that God was the One calling him, and gave Him plenty of assurance that He is the One who would be with him, and fight on his and Israel’s behalf. Here, God once again reminds Gideon that the Midianites are delivered into his hand. The next few verses show God’s great mercy in dealing with Gideon’s fear and doubt. Although God wants us to trust Him and have complete faith in Him, when He sends us on a mission that is greater than we are, He does not get angry with us when we experience those moments of fear or doubt, as all we need is faith as small as a mustard seed. In verses 10-11 God addresses Gideon’s fears, “‘But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, 11 and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.’ Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp.” We do not have to be facing the challenge of a physical war, as Gideon was facing, but for many of us there are things and circumstances that cause us to fear and doubt. There are situations and challenges that create anxiety in our hearts, whether family issues, health issue, or issues at work, God is always ready to ease our hearts and minds. In the times when we become fearful and doubt God, let us remember Isaiah 41:13, “For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’” However, in order for God to relieve our anxious moments, it means we must be truly seeking Him and spending real time in prayer, and the reading and studying of His Word. Anxieties left unchecked will be a weapon in the enemy’s hands. Charles Spurgeon said, “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” Gideon’s fears and doubt were legitimate, considering what lie ahead. Note that Gideon did not express his doubt, but God was the one who initiated the suggestion that Gideon go on the “recon mission” that would give him complete assurance that he would have victory. Again, some would say that this was a complete lack of faith, but Gideon had enough faith to be obedient and march forward to battle, even though he had fear and doubt. When Gideon took the steps that God directed him to take, in helping relieve his anxieties, this is what Gideon discovered in verses 13-14, “And when Gideon had come, there was a man telling a dream to his companion. He said, ‘I have had a dream: To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed.’ 14 Then his companion answered and said, ‘This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp.’” Hearing this, Gideon was encouraged and he worshipped the LORD, returning to his camp and encouraging the 300 men that were going into battle with him to rise and follow him in their victory, which God promised, over the Midinates. I do not know what challenges or situations you may be facing today, but I do know this, our God is ready, willing, and waiting for us to turn to Him so that He can calm whatever anxieties are burdening our hearts and minds.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).