Judges 3-6
God Calls Small People

Judges 6 introduces us to one of the great heroes of the Bible-Gideon. He is an unexpected choice for a hero. But, then again, most of God's choices usually are unexpected. By his own description, Gideon was of the weakest clan "in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." God, however, would not be deterred. And the Lord said to him, "But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man" (Judges 6:15-16). We know nothing of his statute, but we can hear in his words a sense of timidness that could potentially be crippling.

Like us, he focused on all the reasons why he could not do what God asked of him; why someone else ought to be used. But, Gideon submitted to God and, albeit reluctantly, and lead the people of God in an incredible battle to overcome the Midianites and Amalekites. Why? One reason only: "But I will be with you..." (6:16).

God has always used less than remarkable people to accomplish His goals. Abram was small, Moses was small, David was small, Elijah was small, Amos was small, the twelve were small, and Paul was small. All of these people had their strikes against them and could, like Gideon, have offered up a myriad of reasons why they needed to let others do what was asked of them. But, they were all used despite they're limitations to God's glory in His kingdom.

That brings us to us. We ought to all see great limitations before us in God's service. We can offer numerous reasons why we can't really be useful in God's kingdom. Reasons why we should just sit back and let the "experts" take over.

When you see the word of God calling you to do something in His service, don't allow your own inadequacies to hold you back. God has always used less than perfect people to accomplish His goals. Abram was small, Moses was small, David was small, Elijah was small, Amos was small, the twelve were small, and Paul was small. All of these people had their strikes against them and could, like Gideon, have offered up a myriad of reasons why they needed to let others do what was asked of them. But, God may be calling YOU to His service.

Remember, though, that while He calls us, we gain the ability to do whatever we do through Him. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). We cannot do great things in God's kingdom. We can only let Him do great things through us. As a result, there is no end to what He can accomplish through us when we submit. The most important characteristics of a great servant of God are not oratory skills, a great singing voice, an imposing physical presence, financial resources, or any other physical traits. The most important characteristics are those of humility and submission: humility to see our inadequacies, and submission to go despite those inadequacies when He says to go.