God usually uses trials to grow our faith. He stretches us to bring us out from things that hold us in constraint. The world system opposes God in every way, and will confront God’s truths, taking every opportunity to “cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8). How can you come out of constraint and experience greater measures of God’s capacity?
God seeks to bring falsehoods to the light, for they hold us in constraint and stall growth. It takes trusting faith in God’s word to resist opposing influences and live in God’s liberty. You might say then that God uses resistance training to strengthen us– just like weight trainers!
RELEVANCE
One Bible character who lived under such constraint was Gideon. He came from a weak family and he considered himself to be the weakest of all. What kept him in bondage was a mind focused on oppression. He felt forsaken, abandoned and hopeless.
One day the Angel of the LORD shows up and sees him hiding from the Midianites, a terrorizing group of neighbors. As was Gideon’s custom, he whined and rehearsed his woes. The Angel paid no attention to him. What He did, however, changed Gideon’s life. He encouraged Gideon with three key words from God:
“Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
“Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man”
“Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”
Hearing and receiving these three appointed and anointed words from God brought courage, confidence and peace. Gideon became inspired! He did in fact prevail! With a small band of just three hundred men they defeated a larger enemy. The fearful man became victorious—in God’s might. Gideon learned what the apostle, Paul, later learned: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
REFLECT AND RELATE
What things do you fear most? Ask God for His appointed and anointed Word for you. When it comes, it will bring peace and courage to your soul.
REFERENCES
Judges 6:11-7:25