Change has come.....2

Judges 6:14-16 KJV

And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?  And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.  And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

Fairly long passage, but one that summarises our thoughts on what God is calling us to. One thought that has run through all our devotions is that God does not call you to do mighty things by yourself or in your strength; he takes the ordinary things in your hands and lives and turns them into extraordinary miracles.

Gideon was not from a popular or well-connected family.  His tribe-Manasseh wasn't even given priority in Israel; his other brother- Ephraim- waa even more popular, more 'blessed'. But there's a God that sees beyond the physical limitations and can do the most mighty things with the most unqualified material. God told Gideon to go in the same ordinary might that he had to save Israel. Gideon took a good look at himself and didn't like what he saw: the CV wasn't right, the skills weren't there, the brains weren't sharp enough. God however does not need those things to prove he is God. He is the One who calls, and he does the equipping, the placing and the strategies. A wise man will only cooperate with God and will not attempt to get any glory for himself.

All Gideon needed was already in his hands: his availability, and his strength. He didn't see these, but God did, and it is only God's opinion that counts, not anyone else or even our own. It was this same might God used to save Israel. The miracle you need is in your hands now and it starts with you. Who can end your case when God has not closed the books yet? Man only sees the immediate and makes decisions on the things he sees; God sees the eternal and makes decisions that will lead us to that eternal end. He is not looking for self-made, already competent people; he's seeking for Gideons- unqualified, unworthy, incompetent, and absolutely clumsy people, throught whom his glory, grace and greatness can be seen and appreciated.  After all, I exist to bring glory to God, not to seek attention to myself. I give God praise, because he is working out the best for me. I rejoice, because his time of favour is here.