Don't Walk Away-Wait you will be delivered.

Don't Walk Away-Wait you will be delivered.

Judges 6:12

The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him,

“The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.”

A great number of Midianites and Amalekites invaded Israel to destroy the crops. Because Israel was so weak, the people, including Gideon,saw no other possibility than to hide themselves in caves. During the wheat harvest, Gideon was hiding in a winepress when God appeared to him and greeted him by saying, “The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.”Gideon did not expect such an address. He did not feel like a warrior; horror, need and fear were his daily bread. Gideon answered, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” ( Judges 6:13).

This response surprises me. God greets Gideon as a friend. Doesn’t God have a right to judge? Obviously God sees differently than we humans. God’s presence changes the atmosphere: hope instead of discouragement, acceptance instead of disapproval, victory instead of weakness, fulfillment instead of want—this is how God is when He approaches us.

I am beginning to understand why God compares us to eagles that mount upon strong wings and soar (see Isaiah 40:29–31). Instead, He could have compared us to sparrows that peck around in the street. He describes us as a palm tree in the desert, bearing fruit even in continuous drought (see Psalm 92:12–15). He could have likened us to grass that is trampled underfoot. He says we’re skilled warriors, using His weapons and defeating the enemy (see Psalm 18:30–40)—even though He has reason enough to compare us to cowards.

Yes, this is our God. He sees us differently than we see ourselves. Rather than seeing us as we are, He recognizes us for whom He intends us to be. Even when we hide in fear as Gideon did, God is confident in our sincerity and ability. When Peter denied his Lord with a curse, Jesus responded only with a look.

He spoke no words of criticism. Even after Peter failed and returned to fishing, Jesus still counted on him. He pursued Peter, meeting him at the Sea of Galilee, and invited him to a lovingly prepared meal. Tenderly Jesus inquired of Peter, “Do you love Me?” Peter’s “yes” was enough. Jesus entrusted Peter with His sheep—without conditions.

This gives hope to anyone who wants to give up their calling, believing that God cannot use them because of their sin and failure. Can you imagine that God wants to greet you as He greeted Gideon? He sees you hiding in your winepress, yet He believes in you. Despite your failings, God did not give up on you. When the righteous fall, it’s into God’s arms—the same is true for you!

Stand up again, you eagle, mount up and soar! You are not created to give up, but to conquer the skies! You are not wilting grass but a sturdy palm tree. Dig deep down to the real source of water for which you’ve longed.

Valiant warrior, take up the sword that you put down and face the battle again. You are called to victory, even when the last battle was lost.