The Faith of Gideon
Text: Judges 6:12-13
The Midianites are Israel’s persecution at this time. God sent a prophet because He wanted to get them right so they could live right. Gideon is among the giants of the faith, but I must admit I have questions. Let’s read his story together in Judges.
The Cycle
The inescapable cycle of Judges:
- Sin → Suffering → Supplication → Salvation
I. Faith at the First (Judges 6:12-13)
- Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
- Gideon questions God’s presence and wonders about his family’s situation. This man needs a sign, and it reminds us of the scripture: “For the Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22).
- Hebrews 11:32: "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets."
- Matthew 17:20-21 (KJV): "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
II. Fighting with Faith (Judges 7:2)
- God reduces Gideon’s army to ensure victory comes through faith, not numbers.
- Who will leave first? Gideon must trust God’s plan even when it seems impractical.
III. Forgetting our Faith (Judges 8:24)
- Situations: Trials can test our faith.
- Success: Victory can sometimes lead to pride and forgetting God.
- Sorrow: Difficult moments can cause us to doubt God’s presence.
Gideon’s journey reminds us of the importance of faith—faith to trust God at the beginning, faith to fight the battles He leads us into, and faith to remain steadfast even after the victory. Let us strive to learn from Gideon’s story and walk by faith, not by sight.
