The Weakness of God's Servants

"And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

~ Judges 6:15

Gideon was certainly the most unlikely candidate God would choose to save Israel from the oppression of its enemies. He was a man often riddled with fear and doubt at every task that God gave him. But in this verse where Gideon responds to the very first time that God chose him, we have a most instructive lesson in the humility that is necessary for a servant of God.

In order for a man (or a woman) to be used by God, it is absolutely essential that he recognises both how unqualified and how incapable he is to accomplish the task set before him by God. Men who are full of themselves have little room for the Spirit to fill and use them. Likewise, those who are haughty and high-minded cannot comprehend the simplicity of obedience and the humility of dependence required of them in this task.

Before God will use someone for His kingdom He will first strip a man of all vain notions of Himself, break a man's obstinate self-reliance, and deplete His illusionary self-sufficiency.

In the carrying out of the LORD's task, we must however also avoid a subtle appearance of modesty. As skillful as we may be in deceiving even those closest to us, He who made the human heart and searches its depths knows exactly what we are. Therefore, while the man or woman of God seeks not his own glory, he must be able (when it is willingly given him) to receive praise and thanks but with fear and trembling recognising that none but God could have worked in him to do His will for His glory.

It is good therefore for a man and a woman of God who is called to serve Him, to remember these truths:

1) God is my maker and sustainer, therefore He has full authority over my life.

2) God has died for my sins & given me every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm with Christ Jesus, therefore He cannot ask too much of me.

3) It is my life's chief honour and privilege to serve Him, therefore I cannot dream of murmuring.

4) He is unimaginably good and irresistibly splendorous, therefore I will joyfully serve Him.

5) My reward is Christ Jesus, therefore this task will be worth more than anything I lose in this life.