Old Testament Heroes: Gideon, Week 1

This year in FamilyQuest we’ll be looking at some Old Testament heroes of the faith. We’ll see how God took flawed human beings and accomplished great things while showing many, including us, just who He is. These famous heroes faced many hard choices and had to trust God to do miraculous things. We pray that as you study these real, live heroes your families will be encouraged that you, too, can trust God to do the big things that seem impossible to us.

During this unit, we will be looking at Gideon. When we first meet Gideon he is hiding out, frustrated that God has abandoned His people. When God meets with him, he calls him Mighty Warrior. Gideon looked nothing like a mighty warrior at the time! BUT GOD can take even the most insignificant member of the weakest tribe and make him a mighty warrior when that man is willing to trust and obey God. God can do the same with you!

Today, here's a short family devotion from Rustin Green:

Imagine this:  Your school is going to participate in a race with another school. The other school is known for their fast runners. Every year they win the track championship. Your principal is going to choose one student to represent your entire school against the other school’s top runner. So, your principal goes to the youngest children, say Kindergarten. Then, out of that grade, the principal chooses the slowest child to run. Does that make sense? No! She would choose the student with the BEST ability. 

In the story of Gideon, we see as one man learns, it is not our ability that matters, but God’s power. God sent a surprising message to an Israelite man named Gideon. The message was that God had chosen Gideon to save the Israelites from the Midianites.

"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I possibly save Israel? My family group is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh. And I'm the least important member of my family." - Judges 6:15

Gideon thought there must be some mistake. 

Why would God choose him? 

He was not a warrior.

The Lord answered, "I will be with you. 

So you will strike down the men of Midian all at one time." - Judges 6:16

God promised to be with Gideon. We have heard these words before. God said these same words to Moses (Exodus 3:12) and to Joshua (Joshua 1:5). 

Now He was saying them to Gideon.

It is very important for us to keep our focus on God. Gideon did not have the ABILITY to go to war and defeat a fierce army, but God certainly did! God promised to be with Gideon, and God ALWAYS keeps His promises.

When were you called on to do something that you didn’t think was possible?

What is a promise God has kept to you?