Judges 6:12, "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him (Gideon), and said unto him, 'The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”

Judges 6:14 “And the LORD looked upon him (Gideon), and said, 'Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?'"  

Judges 6:34, "But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon..."

We are reading a book called the Book of Judges. It is called such because it is filled with a series of events where God called judges to lead Israel out of the bondage and oppression they fell into because of their sin.  The recurring pattern in Judges is: sin, suffering, sorrow, and salvation.  This pattern can be seen in the lives of people today.  We always fall into suffering when we sin. If we suffer long enough we will become sorrowful, which should lead us to repentance, and repentance will lead us to salvation. Israel was a nation who repeated this process throughout her history. 

God called the judge, Gideon, to deliver Israel from the oppressive hand of the Midianites. Gideon understood his inability, yet God had called him to become Israel's deliverer, and this calling required God's enabling. Notice the enabling in our verses: "The LORD is with thee"  "Have not I sent thee?" "The Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon."  Your call to action is always accompanied by God's enabling.  The word "enable" means to supply that which is necessary, to make able, to furnish or equip.  God's work isn't done in your strength, it is done in His strength!  HIS CALL IS HIS ENABLING!  What task has God placed before you?  Are you slow in engaging in the task because you are fearful of being unable to do what He desires? Thank God for His enabling power in your life, "... for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27)

Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1.  What is the recurring pattern found in the Book of Judges?

2. Are you fearful about engaging yourself in God's will?  What can you do to overcome your fear?

3. What authority do you have for doing the will of God?

4. From where do you get your strength?