Bible Verse
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
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Fear has this way of making itself at home in our hearts, doesn't it? Like an unwelcome houseguest, it rearranges our thoughts and tries to convince us we're not ready for whatever lies ahead. But here's something beautiful - right when fear starts to feel overwhelming, God shows up with a gentle reminder that we're not alone. That's exactly what happened with Gideon, and his story feels like it could be any of ours. Let's sit with that for a moment and see what happens when we choose to listen to God's whispers of courage instead of fear's loud doubts.
Short Devotional
You know those moments when you feel like hiding? Gideon sure did. There he was, tucked away in a winepress, trying to thresh wheat where nobody could see him. He probably jumped out of his skin when an angel showed up and called him a "mighty warrior." Can you imagine? There he was, hiding from his enemies, and God saw something in him that he couldn't see in himself. It's funny how God works - seeing strength in us exactly when we feel weakest. When was the last time you felt like Gideon, and God saw something in you that you couldn't see?
Think about this - Gideon went from hiding in a winepress to leading 300 men against an army so huge it filled the valley like locusts. Not because he suddenly became brave but because he took tiny steps of trust, one after another. God didn't roll His eyes at Gideon's fears or tell him to just get over it. Instead, He kept showing up, kept proving His faithfulness, and kept walking alongside until those small steps turned into giant leaps of faith.
Read more about Gideon's story in Judges 6-7.
Let's Pray
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being here with us right now, just as You were with Gideon in that winepress. Your presence fills every corner of our lives, even the spaces where fear tries to hide.
We confess that sometimes our hearts race with worry, and our minds spin with what-ifs. Like Gideon, we often feel too small for the challenges before us. The unknown looms large, and our confidence shrinks in its shadow. Yet Your Word reminds us that You go before us, making a way where we see no path forward.
Thank You for Your endless patience with our doubts. Thank You for showing us through Gideon's story that You use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. When our instincts tell us to retreat, Your Spirit gives us the courage to stand firm.
Lord, help us recognize Your voice above the whispers of fear. When anxiety pushes us to hide, give us strength to step into the light of Your promises. Replace our nervous questions with quiet confidence in Your presence. Show us how to trust You one small step at a time.
We're grateful that You never leave us to face our fears alone. Your faithfulness stretches beyond our understanding, and Your love surrounds us even when we can't feel it. Help us remember that with You, we're always stronger than we think.
In Jesus' name, we choose trust over fear, faith over worry, and Your truth over our doubts.
Amen.
Journaling Prompts
What fears have been holding you back lately? Write them down, then next to each one, write what trusting God instead might look like.
Remember a time when God proved faithful despite your doubts. How does that memory strengthen your faith today?
If you were in Gideon's position, what questions would you ask God? What answers do you think He might give?
Describe a current situation where fear and trust are battling in your heart. What would choosing trust look like in this specific case?
You know that feeling when fear starts creeping in? We all do. But here's the thing - God's got this amazing way of turning our scared moments into brave ones. Just like He did with Gideon, He's working in our hearts, helping us find courage we didn't know we had. Whether you're facing something huge or dealing with everyday worries, remember you've got a whole community right here, walking this path with you. God's right here, too, every single step. Keep holding onto hope - we can't wait to see how your story of courage unfolds.
Until next time,
May the Lord Bless you and keep you;
May He make His face shine upon you;
And be gracious to you and give you peace.
God Bless!
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