Gideon, Gideon, Gideon...

 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 

Gideon, Gideon, Gideon...

Judges 6-8 tell of the exploits of Gideon...a man from a small tribe and family, thrashing his grain in a hidden place to keep away from the sight of the enemy, doubting what he is called to do...called, “o mighty man of valor”...did his call by night for fear of his own family and others, raised a fearful son, a man who was clothed by the Spirit of the LORD...

He wanted a sign of blessing and got more... burnt offerings, two fleeces, a dream...

He started with at least 32,000 warring men...then down to 10,000 as 22,000 left fearful and trembling...then finally down to 300 of the most inexperienced...drinking water was a test...

( my Bible notes says that those who drew water to their mouths were the least experienced because those who lay flat were more experienced because they were out of sight of the enemy as they lay down, those who sat drawing water with their hands were in sight of the enemy without knowing it and not as watchful, hummmm interesting) 

But, God used those 300 inexperienced men to route the huge army of the enemy...using empty jars, torches, trumpets ....plus nighttime...

Gideon went on to rule the area, only saying, “ I will not rule over you and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you”...for  40 years...and then the Israelites turned back to their wicked ways, following after other gods...forgetting the Lord their God who saved them from their enemies...one generation of faithfulness...

Those three short chapters of narrative of a man’s life, fears, strengths, conquests...a short story of anyone’s...how we face or not face life...the fears we struggle with, the families we have, the places we live...are used as Paul writes to Timothy...

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 

When called, God provides...big or little...He is there...through my fears, my questions...thank YOU...