Baalbusters

[S] Judges 6:12,31-32 --
¹²The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, "The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior."

¹⁵He said to Him, "O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house."

³¹But Joash said to all who stood against him, "Will you contend for Baal, or will you deliver him? Whoever will plead for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has torn down his altar."
³²Therefore on that day he named him Jerubbaal, that is to say, "Let Baal contend against him," because he had torn down his altar.

[O] From verse 15 I can see that Gideon did not quite see himself as a valiant warrior. In fact, he specifies that he is the youngest of the least family in town. However, through the angels God calls him "O, valiant warrior." So, it is safe to conclude that God sees things from a different perspective than us. In fact, in 1 Samuel 16:7 God says the following: But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." God already saw a valiant warrior in the mere Gideon who was thrashing to save some wheat before the Medianites attack. And once again God was right! I wonder what God sees in me?

Soon after that encounter, Gideon takes some steps of courage and faith by destroying the village's idol belonging to his father. In verses 31-32, I am quite surprised by his father's response when the villagers came to kill Gideon for destroying their altar. He wasn't upset and angry also at his son. Instead he covered for his son saying that if the people's god is strong enough then it should deal with Gideon directly. It's as if Gideon's father was proud of his son's actions even though it had destroyed his own idol. Perhaps God has moved his heart to realize that the idol that cannot even protect itself from his "lowliest" son, then it's not much of a god at all. Because of this valiant action, Gideon is now known to be the "Baalbuster."

[A] Just like Gideon, I find myself one too many times seeing how small I am against the "giant" oppositions in life, especially as a follower of Jesus Christ. God may call me to take up a bigger tasks for His Kingdom on earth but being filled with fear and doubts, I hesitate and calculate again and again while sitting still. I want to be like the "new" Gideon who began to take the steps of standing up for God and taking the bigger steps one step at a time and experience the workings of God right through my own life leading me to victorious life -- the "Baalbuster" kind of a life.

[P] Dear God, just like Gideon's father who approved the actions of his son, I realized that You approve of my actions when I take them with faith and commitment in Jesus' name. I am willing to take the baby steps trusting in You and so please allow me to move forward and be used like Gideon to fight against the enemy and to lead Your people into victory here on earth. In Jesus' powerful name I pray. Amen.