God Strengthens Our Hearts Before Our Hands

Has God ever called you to do something, but you were afraid to do it? Or you weren't sure how you

could do it? You only had the promise that He would be with you?

There are many ways we can still minister to one another during this time of uncertainty. You may be afraid to reach out, and you may hold back because you don't know how, or what to do. There are a lot of people still working and risking exposure to this virus, and I am sure they are doing it with some trepidation. (Perhaps MUCH trepidation!)

Gideon faced similar feelings. He had 300 men to go up against an army that seemed like grasshoppers for multitude, and whose camels were like the sand of the sea in number. God had told Gideon He would be with him to have victory, and he asked Gideon to step forward in faith on that promise.

Judges 7:9-11
(9) And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
(10) But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:
(11) And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.

God wasn't mad that Gideon was afraid. He even gave him a friend to go with him, to help him. And when Gideon decides to take him up on that offer, we don't see God bat an eye. There is no ridicule or censure.

There's another interesting thing here, though. God tells Gideon that his hands will be strengthened after he goes down to hear what will be said by the enemy.

Gideon has to step out in faith and put himself right near the enemy. Close enough to overhear what is being said within their tents.

And when he does that, he overhears one of the enemy say that he had a dream, and his fellow confirms God's promise to Gideon:

Judges 7:12-14
(12) And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
(13) And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.
(14) And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.

And when Gideon hears the confirmation, he responds with worship.

Judges 7:15
And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.

See, before God would strengthen Gideon's hands to do the work, He first had to strengthen his heart to believe God is a promise keeper, and would give him victory. Then Gideon responds in worship, and is able to encourage those who will fight alongside him.

What is God asking you to do right now that maybe you're afraid to do? What has He said He will give your victory over, and strengthen your hands to accomplish?

If He has promised, He will go before you, and be with you all the way. Don't walk in fear, even when the odds are stacked against you. Strengthen your heart in the promises of God and His Word, and He will strengthen your hands to accomplish His will. Then encourage those around you who may also be afraid.

God is never surprised, or worried, or unsure. He is faithful, and strong, and bold, and true, and just. And He will strengthen us if we step out in faith on His promises.