Read: Judges 6:7-24
The LORD said to him, “But I will be with you.” (v. 16)
Being the weakest and the least in God’s economy is no invitation to self-contempt. In fact, Paul told us that God often chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong. When God told Gideon to go save Israel from the oppression of Midian, Gideon objected, “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.” In reply, God said, “But I will be with you.” God with us—a very important distinction!
On the flip side, being full of pride is just another form of contempt. Jesus taught, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:4). He knelt in front of the disciples to wash their feet; he spoke the famous words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). In short, Jesus didn’t regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but humbled himself to serve, to spend his life’s capital purchasing life for others. He practiced no self-contempt; he practiced no contemptuous pride.
God is far more interested in the heart who desires his company than the person who discounts what God has to offer. Gideon called himself the runt of the litter, but God visited him, scared and alone, and Gideon was so changed by the encounter that he became a mighty warrior, growing his faith in God rather than self. —Amy Clemens
As you pray, thank God for that world-changing little phrase, “But I will be with you.”
About the Author
With a bachelors in journalism from Texas Tech University and a masters from Western Theological Seminary, Amy Clemens enjoys all things writing, particularly about the life of faith. She is blessed with a family that includes husband Fred, five children, and five grandchildren.
Amy has just published her first book, "Walking When You'd Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall," which weaves her journey from childhood abuse toward healing and spiritual growth with a practical theology for the big story of God. You can find out more about the book and author at walkingwhenyoudratherfly.com.
