THE STRENGTHENING OF OUR FAITH
John C. Gray
Gideon, in this scripture, illustrates the matter of needing to be encouraged; needing to have his faith strengthened. He had already been instrumental in the work that God had indicated, and I think he illustrates a young man exercised to be with God, but a little timid. We may say that it was somewhat audacious of him to doubt God’s word, but it brings out that his faith was strengthened. The fact that God answers what he requests, indicates that God was approving of his exercises in giving reassurance of what he should do and say.
There is much to be done by faith, in seeking to arrive at the worship of God, in seeking to re-establish what is for God’s pleasure, and what is for the benefit of the people of God. In doing that, younger men and younger women need to be encouraged so that their faith is strengthened; and God would encourage us, though we may be tested, that we might cling to God, that we might ask God. Gideon might have gone on for some years doubting whether God would be with him, but he asks God to give a sign so that his faith might be strengthened. I think the Lord would encourage us, that we should seek to have confirmation in the experiences of our lives that God is indeed active. We may be timid as to certain things; some people, of course, are naturally timid and others are naturally the opposite. As we approach the things of God, in holiness and with reverence, there may be a certain timidity, a certain hesitancy, but God would encourage us to go
forward; not to stop, not to say, ‘Well, I have no doubt that what God said is right but I do not want to act on it just now’. Gideon was not like that; Gideon asked God for confirmation.
So it says, “If thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said, behold, I put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor”, and he makes his request. Then it says in verse 38, “And it was so”. God comes in and answers him, and when the reverse is brought in as to the fleece only being dry and on all the ground being dew, the word is, “And God did so that night”, as if there was no hesitation on God’s part in giving confirmation to a person who is exercised that he might move in faith and be strengthened and encouraged.
I think, for example, a young brother may be hesitant about giving a word in this kind of meeting. Confirmation would come in by our experiences privately, through greater liberty with God, so that this service should be extended among the young people. God would encourage that amongst us, so that there would be the best and the most beneficial for all the saints. It may be also that younger persons are rather hesitant about taking part in a priestly way to God, whether in the service of God or at other occasions. God would encourage us that we should be active in this, and that our faith should be strengthened to do what is needed. So Gideon requested confirmation that God would save Israel by his hand, through the sign of dew being on the fleece, only and dry upon all the ground. Then again he proved God through it being dry on the fleece only and dew being on all the ground. Thus God gave him assurance as to what He had said in His word to him. If we act in faith, despite our natural timidity, if we are with Christ, God would give us some fresh confirmation, as we take the step.
so Gideon gets this wonderful answer which meant that God was going to save Israel by his hand. Then there was a victory for the people. If we are going to be in victory, if we are going to be alongside Christ in victory, then it needs dependence, it needs prayer on our knees privately in our experience with God. It is not just initial, it is not just a certain step, but it is faith active in my life to change it, and hence I become different and active towards God. So that if we take these steps in dependence, then we find that our experiences with God become real. I would encourage younger persons that their faith should be strengthened, and that encouragement should be known. You know, if we act in this way, if we take these steps in the strengthening of our faith, older ones are encouraged too, because it means that the circulation of what is working among the saints on the line of faith is extended, and all get the benefit.
May we be encouraged therefore, even though we feel there is a little timidity, a little backwardness, or whatever it is that causes us to hesitate to move, in finding that we can be strengthened in our faith through seeking to be found before God in relation to it. God will answer us as He did Gideon. May He help us in it for His name’s sake.
Word in meeting for ministry, Dundee
9 July 1991