An Offer You Don't Want to Refuse

There's an old expression in the church, something about "laying out a fleece." It refers to asking for a type of clarification or sign --Did I hear You correctly? --from God. It originates with the account of Gideon in Judges 6. The angel of the Lord appears to him as he is threshing wheat not on the threshing floor as one would expect, but in the winepress, to hide it from the enemies of Israel, the Midianites. This angel addresses Gideon as a "mighty man of valor" (v. 12) and says he has been called to save Israel from this fierce army that has demoralized God's people and decimated their land. But Gideon isn't as certain about all this as the messenger seems to be: Show me you are who you say you are and that I will be so equipped (v. 17). Gideon prepares a sacrifice and the angel of the Lord consumes it. Message received. 

Sometime later, the enemies of Israel prepare for a full invasion. Gideon, under the power of the Holy Spirit, summons the troops and they assemble behind him. I can understand Gideon's hesitancy from this point; you've got your family, countrymen looking to you for leadership against this bloodthirsty legion of warriors and just days ago, you were hunkered down trying to keep your meager provisions from being discovered just to feed your family. This is really happening. Again, Gideon seeks a sign: If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said... (v. 36) Gideon acknowledges God has promised this, but... but what? but he really didn't believe it? but that was weeks ago? but things have gotten much worse? but "have you looked at me lately"? Friend, I wish I could pass judgment on Gideon, But the knot in my stomach every time I'm called to do something out of my comfort zone, every time I'm called to speak a difficult word or walk through an unpleasant season tells me I am no more confident in God's presence or promises than Gideon. So, Gideon asks for more: a fleece wet with dew while the surrounding ground remains dry (v. 37). And again, a dry fleece while the ground is wet with dew (v. 39). Both times, it was so.

Let's see what happens next. In Judges 7, we read that God whittles the army of Israel, the army under Gideon's leadership, the army that will go up against the hordes of Midian, down to its bare bones. Not once do we read of Gideon objecting to the process --even when God settles for a measly three hundred (v. 7)! But it gets better. That night, God spoke to Gideon again. Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp (v. 9-11). Gideon takes God up on the offer. After all of the demonstrations, after this entire process of preparing Gideon and his men, Gideon chooses to peek behind the curtain; he chose the blessing that would strengthen him for the upcoming battle.

Have there been times I've doubted? Yes, without a doubt 😉. I've questioned. I've panicked. I've stared at the ceiling and rehashed conversations until the wee hours of the morning. But God has proven Himself again and again. It has been my self-sufficiency and mistrust that have let me down. It has been my pride that has distracted me from great faith. But God knows my heart. He chooses to love me and have compassion on me even when I have been far from Him, even when I have doubted His goodness. He has held out mercy to me. He has offered to me the blessing that would strengthen me for the battle ahead. And, be assured, the God who has promised to never leave or forsake His people will do the same for you. Choose the blessing. Take His offer.