by Kitim Silva
The key to all mission depends on God’s commission. In his question to Gideon, “Did I not send you?” It is perceived that God wanted the vision to be cemented in Gideon, and that in his heart it would be reaffirmed: “I will go, because God sends me…”
Reference Biblical Text: Judges 6.12-16
Introduction The judges of Israel, transition leaders between conquest and monarchy, were by nature visionaries, who saw what God wanted to do and believed him.
This time of the judges speaks to us of a phase in the history of Israel, in which the Israelites, due to their spiritual infidelity to God, were victims of surrounding peoples who oppressed them (Judges 2:11-15). One of these distinguished visionaries was Gideon. The Israelites had been for seven years under the oppression of the Midianites; and thanks to Gideon’s leadership, they managed to live forty years in peace and blessing.
The qualities of the visionary (Jg 6.12)
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Gideon walked with the Lord Anyone can say he is with God, but will God be with him or with her? Can we do something for God if he is not with us? The visionary leader walks with God and God walks with him (see Gn 5.22). We need to be saturated with the power of God to be effective leaders. God cares more about who we are than what we do.
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Gideon toiled for the Lord God’s view of Gideon was that of a strong believer. His spirit was manly. Men and women of one piece are the ones that God is looking for. The ministry has not been made for “chickens”, it is for “eagles”. The visionary leader is always hardworking; he does more than he can! He never gives up! He never says he can’t! He never runs away!
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Gideon accepted the Lord’s challenges The world is full of cowards, cowards of doing God’s will, cowards of living lives that please their Creator. In the congregations there are many cowards, cowards who are subject to fear and paralyzed by doubts. In leadership and ministry for God and from God, cowards have no place.
The mood of the visionary (Judg 6.13-16)
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Gideon was a humble believer Although God told him that he was with him, he declares: “Ah, my Lord, if the Lord is with us . . .» (ver 6.13). The men and women that God calls always think well of others, they never see themselves as superior to anyone. They do not compete spiritually to beat others.
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Gideon was a concerned believer God asked two questions and one statement (v 6.13). This seemed to be the cry of the people: “Why has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonders that our fathers have told us. . .? And now Jehovah has forsaken us, and he has delivered us into the hand of the Midianites.”
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Gideon was an encouraged believer God answers him (v 6.14). God is not interested in how strong we are, but in the willingness to put our strength at his service. More than our strength, God wants our will, that is, our total surrender both to him and to his purpose (see Ps 138.8).
The key to all mission depends on God’s commission. In his question to Gideon, “Did I not send you?” It is perceived that God wanted the vision to be cemented in Gideon, and that in his heart it would be reaffirmed: “I will go, because God has sent me” (Judge 6.16). This certainty that God is with the one whom he calls and commissions, allows that person to act for God (see Jn 15.5).
ConclusionPrinciples to remember:
A good relationship with God precedes any calling.
To vigorous believers, God gives powerful visions.
God is not interested in cowards for the ministry.
Humility leads to putting ourselves at the level of others.
Concern for others is a sign that the heart beats for ministry.
Willingness is the key that unlocks the door of service to God.
Adapted from the book Gideón, Editorial Portavoz, all rights reserved. Used with permission. ChristianDevelopment.com a ministry of International Christian Development, all rights reserved.