Judges 6:12 “The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.’”

I love this story of Gideon. Here he is, beating out the grains of wheat in a wine press. He is literally hiding from the Midianites, and the Angel of the Lord (I believe this is Jesus) appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” Gideon probably looked over his shoulder like, “Who is He talking to? Certainly not me! I’m no valiant warrior.”

That’s exactly why the Lord picked Gideon. He didn’t see himself as worthy. He was a humble man who was from a lowly family in the tribe of Manasseh. He had no prestige or position. But God saw something in Gideon that He could use. He was obedient. God said “Go” and he went. He had some questions and even asked God to confirm some things. Obviously, that was okay with God because He did it (see verses 36-40).

What do you think the Lord is going to ask your son or daughter to do for Him? Will they be the next Gideon standing up for their nation? Will they be called upon to lead? Will they be asked to surrender their safety and security to reach a lost world? We do not know the calling the Lord has for our children, but we do know He has called us to prepare them. Gideon knew the history of his people. He knew of God’s power and strength. Do your children? Have you told them how He has worked in your life? Have you shared your confidence in the Lord with them?

As I teach each Sunday morning in our church’s Children’s Church, I know I am standing before future missionaries, doctors, lawyers, teachers and homemakers. I want to instill in them the confidence to trust the Lord and to do whatever He asks, no matter how crazy it sounds. You know the rest of the story of Gideon. God told him to send home most of his army. He didn’t need them. All God needs is our availability. He can do the rest.