Gideon

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Introduction:
       Gideon is a hero and judge of the Old Testament. He led the vastly outnumbered Israelites against the Midianites defeated them, and killed their two kings.
       Gideon or Gedeon(modern Gid'on, Tiberian Gid'on), also named Jerubbaal and Jerubbesheth, was a military leader, judge, and prophet whose calling and victory over the Midianites are recounted in Chapter 6 and 8 of the book of Judges in the Hebrew Bible.
       Gideon or Jerubbaal is a 12th Century Israelite warrior of the tribe of Manasseh, and one of the greater judges of Israel. The book of Judges relates that Gideon was a strong opponent of the Baal Cult.

 From the Life of Gideon
     Most of us want to know God's plan for our lives, but we're not always sure how to find it. One common misunderstanding is the idea that God's guidance will come to us out of the blue, that it has nothing to do with what we're doing now. But if we're always looking around for God's next assignment, we run the risk of ruining whatever we're working on right now. Fortunately, the Bible points to a kind of guidance that does not put our current projects in jeopardy. In the Bible's descriptions of how God guided many people, we can see that often God's call came while people were completely immersed in the challenge of the moment. A good example of this kind of guidance is seen in Gideon's life.
      Gideon had a limited vision, but he was committed to it. His challenge was to obtain food for his family even though hostile invaders were making the growing, gathering, and preparation of the food almost impossible. Gideon was resourceful. He put a winepress to double duty by turning it into a sunken threshing floor. It lacked ventilation to blow the chaff away, but at least it was hidden from the Midianites. Gideon was working in his threshing floor when God sent him a messenger with a challenge.
       Gideon was surprised by what God told him to do. He did not want to jump into a task for which he was ill-prepared. The angel had to overcome three objections before Gideon was convinced:
  1. Gideon's feelings of responsibility for his family's welfare, 
  2. His doubts about the call itself, and
  3. His feelings of inadequacy for the job
     Once Gideon was convinced, however, he obeyed with zest, resourcefulness, and speed. He dedicated those personality traits to God, with whom he was now personally acquainted.
     Gideon had his weak moments and failures, but he was still God's servant. If you can easily see yourself in Gideon's weakness, can you also see yourself in being willing to serve? Remember Gideon as a man who obeyed God by giving his attention to the task at hand. Then give your full attention to believing God will prepare you for tomorrow when it comes. 
(From; Life Application Study Bible, NIV)

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