Hearing His Voice #138

The angel of the LORD appeared to [Gideon] and said, “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!”

Judges 6:12

Marauders from Midian were attacking Israel, and God let them. His people had turned their hearts to other gods, and they needed a wake-up call. But when oppression caused them to cry out to God for help, He answered. He sent an angel to Gideon, who was working hard to keep his grain—and himself—out of sight of the raiders.

The angel called Gideon a “mighty hero,” even though Gideon wasn’t exactly playing that role. But God’s voice normally doesn’t point out what we already know about ourselves. He certainly doesn’t confirm those accusations we hear from our own guilty consciences or a far more evil accuser. No, He calls out what He knows to be true of us from an eternal perspective. He sees the end from the beginning. He saw Abraham as a man of great faith, even when Abraham was questioning the promise, attempting to help God out, or laughing at the impossibility of the timing. He saw Moses as a great leader, even as Moses was fleeing Egypt in exile. And He saw Gideon as the warrior that Israel needed, even as Gideon was hiding in fear. He sees each of us as the man or woman we will become, no matter how much we’re struggling in the process.

Hearing God’s voice brings out the best in us. Let Him call you who you are, and don’t question His assessment. You may not feel like a mighty warrior, a person of great faith, or anything else He calls you, but He gives His people an unquestionable identity. We are children of the royal household, pure in Christ, kings and priests in His Kingdom, and more. Whatever specific role God speaks to you, it’s true, even if it seems unlikely. His words will call you out of hiding and into the glory of your destiny.

Really, Lord? I find Your words about me to be far more lofty than I deserve or expect. Help me grow into the vision You have for me. I am everything You say I am, simply because You say so.