Mighty Man of Valour

 Have you ever been so scared you were hiding?  Hiding so people wouldn't find you?  Imagine feeling that way and being found by a messenger from God.  And not only that but being called by a name you do not identify with, one that doesn't fit your actions.

This happened to a man in the Bible.  In the book of Judges chapter 6, we are in the land of Israel but were being ruled by the Midians.  The Israelites had done evil in the sight of the Lord.  After seven years of Midian rule, the Israelites cried unto God.  God, being a loving God, sent a prophet unto the children of Israel.  He reminded them of when God brought them out of the land of Egypt and He will deliver them again.  

And then the angel of the Lord appeared.  To whom?  Where?  To Gideon as he was threshing wheat.  He wanted to hide the wheat from the Midianites.

The first thing the angle of the Lord said to Gideon? "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour."

Wow!  Here is what I find amazing.  God saw in Gideon what he did not see himself.  He even says in verse 15 "Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I see Isreal?  Behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."  Gideon did not see himself as a mighty man of valour.  But God did.  God knew what Gideon was capable of.  God knew what He created Gideon to do.  He saw past the present into the future.  

Gideon would eventually take 300 men to the battle.  All they had to do was blow the trumpet and break the pitchers and cry aloud "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon." They didn't even have to lift a sword to defeat the Mideonites.  The Mideonites destroyed themselves.  

He was a mighty man of valour.  He proved God right.

What has God called you? Not how do you see yourself, not how do others see you.  But how does God see you?  Pray and ask God what name He has for you.  You are not identified by your struggles, addictions, problems, or weaknesses.  You are not identified by your worst days or weakest moments.  But God sees you for what He has created you to be.  In a world where identity is in question, allow God to identify you.  You are His.  Let Him name you.

This is possible only By God's Amazing Grace.