The Power Of His Call

This week, I want to remind you that there is nothing truer than what God has spoken. You may know this in your head but there will be times you have to choose to believe it in the face of circumstances that look or feel more real than the promise God has given you. God loves to declare something long before it comes to fruition. That’s the purpose and beauty of faith!

The Holy Spirit uses Abraham as the prime example of this truth. Romans 4:16-17 says,

“That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.”

Don’t miss the powerful statement at the end of that scripture. God calls into existence the things that do not exist. Now, as Christians, we know that God created the universe, thereby calling into existence things that don’t exist. He said, “Let there be light, and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). However, the verse above isn’t talking about the power of God’s word at creation. It’s referring to the creative power of God’s word in one man’s life! God’s word has the same power in your life as it had in Abraham’s life. God loves to speak things over us that require God’s creative power to come to pass. He loves to declare things that are impossible in our strength and ability. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace.

One of my favorite Biblical examples of this truth is Gideon, one of the judges who delivered Israel after they entered the Promised Land. At the time, the people of God were in a cycle of obedience and disobedience. God would deliver them, and they would obey God for a season. Then they would go after other gods; walk out of God’s protection; and be conquered by their enemies.

In Gideon’s day, the Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites. I’m not going to get into very much of Gideon’s story. I only want to look at the moment that God called him! Judges 6:12-16 says,

‘The angel of the LORD appeared to [Gideon] and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Gideon said to him, “Please, my Lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”

Gideon replied, “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.”

The LORD said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

Look at the contrast between God’s word and Gideon’s responses. Just from the outside looking in, Gideon does not appear to be the prime choice to deliver Israel from the Midianites. When God calls him a “mighty man of valor,” there is absolutely nothing valiant about him. His response, the first words he spoke to an angel of LORD, was one of complaint and accusation. He blamed God for the situation even though the word of God clearly explains that disobedience led them into oppression (Read Judges 6:1-10).

After Gideon complained, God told him to “go in this might of [his] and save Israel.” If I were an onlooker, I’d probably be asking God, “what might?” Gideon is still not looking like the best choice here (and he agreed). He responded with excuses about his inadequacy, explaining the weakness of his family and his own unimportance even within his family.

God’s response?

“I will be with you.”

There is no greater fuel for boldness in the church than those five words. If we knew, if we really knew, God is with us, we would never doubt or hesitate. We wouldn’t fear or waver. God didn’t address Gideon’s complaints or concerns. He said, “I will be with you.” God called Gideon and spoke into existence that which did not yet exist. God called him a mighty man of valor when he’d not done anything valiant. God always speaks to His purpose and our potential. It’s our joy and responsibility to believe Him even when it doesn’t make sense!

As it says in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29:

“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”

This week, I encourage you to boast only in the Lord and believe all that He’s said about you. God called Gideon a mighty man of valor when he was weak, afraid, and full of bitterness about his situation. God will call you that which He’s created you to be long before you get there. Set your heart and mind on that truth! Let His Word shape what you say and believe. It doesn’t matter how you feel or what you see with your natural eyes. You may feel weak, but that’s when He will demonstrate His power (2 Corinthians 12:9). You may feel afraid, but perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). God will equip you with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) when you walk with Him.

Romans 8:6 says,

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

We must choose to set our mind on what God says, not our circumstances. What He says is always true, whether you see it when He speaks it or not. He’s the One whose Word created the universe in seven days and He’s powerful enough to bring to completion everything He’s started in your life! Couple what He’s spoken with your faith; it’s as certain as the sun rising!