Heb 11:32a And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon,…
The life of Gideon is related to us in Judges 6:11-8:35.
In the early part of Gideon’s ministry, the Lord commanded Gideon to tear down the altars that had been built to the false god Baal. Although Gideon knew that tearing down the idols of Baal would place his life in jeopardy, by faith, he obeyed the Lord and tore down the idols of Baal (Judges 6:24-27).
Later in his life, Gideon was called upon to lead the Israelite army of 300 against the Midianites and the Amalekites that are described as “like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude”.
The Israelite army, originally was 32,000 men strong. Before Gideon led them into battle the Lord instructed Gideon, through a weeding out process, to eliminate soldiers until only 300 remained. The Lord was insuring that everyone understood that, when the Israelites won, their victory had been gained by the Lord’s gracious intervention alone. (Judges 6:33-7:25).
In the life of Gideon, we have displayed how the Lord prepares each of us to take a great leap of faith in our service for Him. He prepares us for this great leap by incrementally leading us to take smaller steps of faith. In this way, He gradually builds our faith and submission to His commands. Although the faith needed by Gideon to destroy the altars of Baal was great, there is no doubt that it took a much stronger faith for him to lead an army of 300 against the vast, innumerable army of Midian.
We should never count anything the Lord calls us to do as a small ministry. Keep in mind two things. First, there is no such thing as a “small” ministry in God’s eyes. If we are faithful in whatever He asks of us, He is greatly pleased and much is being accomplished for His glory. Secondly, in many cases, a seemingly small ministry is what the Lord uses to prepare us for greater areas of service.
Simply be faithful to whatever the Lord has given you to do … He will take care of the rest.
May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
I have lived by faith but at times did not think that I was doing enough for “God” ..but I now see that I was where I was supposed to be each phase in my life. I have prayed over the past year for some next thing that perhaps I should be doing…and feel led to volunteer my time…so that is what I am in the process of doing. ‘nothing earth shattering’ only what I feel led to do…Diane
AMEN Diane… once we come to understand that the Lord gradually increases our opportunities and responsibilities as our faith grows, it leads to greater motivation to be faithful in even the smaller things of life. Lord bless you. Thanks for your comment
Excellent. I have truly seen this is my own life. I would never have thought the one step at a time works in faith; but it does.
It seems as if as our experience in serving the Lord grows, so too our understanding of this principle in our service to Him. Lord bless you Naphtali… Thanks for a great comment.
Wow, I really sat up at this one, Rob. Thank you! Afraid I fall into that habit of thinking I just do small stuff. What a wonderful truth you have given us. God bless you and the service you do here!
Debbie,
We all feel like our ministries are insignificant at times. Over the years, I have seen that there is no such thing as a small ministry. If we are faithful to do what He desires for us, we are accomplishing alot for His glory. Lord bless.
It is not for me to question ‘why?’ or to assess my role in ministry.
My responsibility is to follow faithfully; whatever, wherever, whenever, and leave the result to Him, because it is all up to Him anyway.
We serve an amazing God!
AMEN you are so right “It is all up to Him anyway”! Lord bless.