So, over the past year, Greg and I have received several prophetic words from other ministers and believers that we are like Gideon: who was an unlikely, super normal guy that God chose to use for a great purpose. But there was a catch before God could use this man, he had to trust God and actually believe that he truly was called of God to fulfill God’s will and defeat a large and powerful army. In order for Gideon to fulfill this call, he first needed to TRUST GOD and believe he was the man for the job. Isn’t that like all of us? God has a special plan for each of us; a calling and a purpose, but to fully walk in that, we will most likely be challenged to step out of our comfort zones into a deeper faith and trust in the Lord. I loved the way Rabbi Jonathan gave us all a “pass” by inviting us to release any condemnation we may feel at times for doubting God or fearing rather than fully trusting in Him and reminded us of the verse Phillippians 4:13 I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME! We may think there is no way but God will MAKE A WAY! Just as God was patient with Gideon when he asked God to PROVE to him that he was truly the man for the job, we too can “put out our fleece” before the Lord and seek confirmation from God!
The second take away, was that once Gideon got a hold of what God had called him to do, he then had the challenge of fulfilling the call! Gideon was facing a large army, and he needed a lot of men….or so HE thought. Gideon started with 3,000 men and ended up with only 300!!! Why? Because God wants the GLORY! Over and over again we see in scripture, how God sets the stage so that it appears that all the odds are stacked against us for defeat…so that we will PRESS IN, TRUST GOD and when we obtain the VICTORY we will know without a DOUBT that we did it only by the GRACE and POWER of GOD! Hallelujah!!! After all, if we could do it on our own, we wouldn’t need God! I am grateful that the Lord is faithful to equip those he calls, and that he sends us confirmations again and again and again through the Word of God, answered prayers, prophetic words and the peace we carry in our hearts as we choose each day to trust him more and more!
As I took in this message at Gideon’s Spring in Israel, my heart was overwhelmed with the love of Jesus and I cried more at this moment than I did during the entire trip! I relate so much to Gideon’s challenges because Greg and I have faced similar obstacles ever since we bought our 104-acre land in Ellijay GA in 2016 for our future home and for the ministry retreats we offer to women and couples. Since that time, the enemy has thrown every possible curveball he can to try to stop us from fulfilling the plans the Lord has for us. We are not out of the woods yet…we are still pressing in to “possess the land”. God’s timing is perfect and we are trusting in the Lord. In order for us to enter into what God has for us, we must first let go of the old to receive the new. This was fresh on our hearts as well, having just closed on our Roswell home five days before leaving for this very trip to Israel.
But there we were—together kneeling at the very waters of Gideon’s Spring, scooping up that pure, delicious, artisan well water in our one hand and drinking in the truth that we can’t do it ….in our own strength but with GOD….all things are possible!!! Like Gideon, who took the enemy by surprising them with the blasting sound of shofars and flaming torches, we will defeat the enemy in our own life battles as we trust God to show us how and then step out in faith to see the miracle!
Grace and Peace,
Ashley