9. Hail Warrior
Judges 6: 11 Then the angel of the LORD came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.”
I have to admit this scene in Scripture always brings a smile to my face and a whole lot of comfort in ministry.
The messenger of God, the Angel, arrives to tell Gideon that he will be delivering His people, Israel, from the Midianites by the hand of Gideon. That’s is somewhat cool. “A: Gideon God has a job for you to do. G: Really what is it? A: You will defeat the Midianites. G:Um I am so unimportant and young. How am I supposed to do this? A: God will be with you.”
Did you notice where Gideon is? He is hiding in a wine press to harvest the grains from the stalks of wheat. He is not on the threshing floor…and the Angel calls him “Valiant warrior.” Thus, my smile. The Angel is not being sarcastic. He has arrived to commission Gideon. Gideon indeed delivers Israel from the Midianites in his timidity, in his youth, and in his “insignificance.” Why? How?
Because the Lord was with him. Beloved, Immanuel has come. Immanuel which means, God is with us. What does the Lord have for you to accomplish today?
Turn up the volume for this one.