Man of Faith

I'm reading through the book of Judges. I come to Gideon's story. The man is recorded in the hall of faith (Hebrews 11) as being a man of great faith. But when Gideon is introduced, he does not seem to possess such faith. He seems insecure when God calls him to lead the Israelites against their Midian oppressors. But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family. This man of faith tests God by demanding God show him signs to prove to him that God is going to fulfill His promise. And I feel I am a poorer reflection of Gideon. But God, how can you use me in your redemptive purposes? If you are really God, do this for me, and then I will believe.

But Gideon did have faith. Like other great men and women of faith that came before and after him, Gideon eventually believed, despite overwhelming odds, and God rewarded such faith. God worked in spite of his insecurities. God answered Gideon and showed that He was trustworthy. And with 300 men, he conquered the Midianite army, which was said to have had been impossible to enumerate.

How timely I revisit the story of Gideon at the start of a new year. As I wrote last time, I really want to learn to live in a manner that requires radical faith. How much more radical can it be than fighting an army too large to even count with a mere 300 men? How did a man who was so insecure in his identity believe in God when it did not make any logical sense? How does one live with such determination and seemingly reckless behavior and end up doing amazing things for God?

I want to live like that. I want to live like Abram, who left the comforts of his home in Ur and Haran for the vast unknown promised land. I want to live like Abraham, who obeyed God and brought his only son, Isaac, to the altar. I want to live like Moses, who had to deal with his past issues and insecurities to stand up to the most powerful man of his time and order him to let his people go. I want to live like Joshua, who had to fill the biggest shoes left by the death of Moses, and lead God's people into the promised land. I want to live like David, who rose from being a shepherd boy to the greatest King of Israel from whom would come the eventual Messiah. I want to live like Jesus' disciples, poor fishermen and zealots and tax collectors, who gave up everything and followed a carpentar's son to transform the world. I want to live like Paul, who went from the greatest persecutor of the church to one of its greatest missionaries. I want to live like Hudson Taylor, C.T. Studd, David Livingstone, Adoniram Judson, William Wilbeforce, Jim Elliot.

They all forsook the comforts of this world for something more eternal. And the world was not worthy of them.