JRM Sison Chapter - Teachings

     The verse you just read is about claiming one’s promise. Let us try to study the context surrounding this verse.

     This is the story of the life of Gideon during the time of distress in Israel. Gideon at that time was threshing wheat by the winepress (to hide it from the Midianites) when the Lord visited him and spoke with him. God has chosen Gideon to be an instrument of God to save Israel from the hands of the Midianites. Note that Gideon was not from a rich or powerful or well-known family; they were a poor family. Gideon was not even the strongest in his family; he was the least. God does not choose like man does. David was chosen by God to be the next king of Israel and he was the least expected to be chosen (for Samuel based his choice by outward appearance while God chooses by one’s heart - 1 Samuel 16:1-13).

     Thus, Gideon was chosen by God not because Gideon wanted it nor anyone suggested it; he was chosen because God saw something that we didn’t.

THE LORD LOOKED
     Verse 14 stated that “the Lord looked upon him…” Note that the verse never stated that the Lord is looking or has begun to look. It states the position of God’s gaze before He talked to Gideon. The Lord was looking already even before He visited Gideon.
     That is one problem of most Christians nowadays. They forgot to seek the face of God because they are so busy asking God to look upon their situation. They forgot the bare essentials and that is worship because they thought that God has turned His back upon them.

GO IN THIS THY MIGHT
     This is a direct command from God; like a direct command to a soldier from a general. The Lord is telling Gideon to go using his might. Note that strength was not used in this particular verse but might. Might is much stronger than strength because it involves one’s spirit, emotion and physical strength.
     The Lord knows our limits; spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. And note that God’s gauge for choice is not based on popularity, appearance or one’s talent or skill. Thus, God have chosen Gideon and used his weakness to serve God’s purpose.

THOU SHALT SAVE ISRAEL
     The fearful word here is not SAVE but the word THOU. It will not be God who will save the day but it will be you, it will be us. God have chosen us to use us. God will not do everything for us. Take note of this phrase: GOD CHOSE US TO USE US. God knows that through one’s own action one will be able to GROW; grow in the sense of spiritual maturity. Through one’s action one begins to acquire a sense of responsibility. Take Adam for example, God made everything, even made the garden of Eden, for Adam not only to enjoy but to tend. Tend means to take good care of. Thus, the word THOU was used. It is a very personal revelation and it points to the one reading it right now… THOU!

HAVE NOT I SENT THEE?
     Note how the verse changed its rhythm; from a command then to a question. God knew what was lurking in the mind of Gideon. He knew that Gideon began to hesitate when God said “thou shalt save…” Thus, God asked the question to assure Gideon of victory.
     Let us cite an example: There was one servant of a king who has been told to go to the worse area of the kingdom and collect certain taxes. Then this servant went his way to that area then collected and returned safely to the king without the people of that area hurting him. Question; why did he remain unscathed? Because they were afraid to touch the servant. Why? It was not out of fear from the servant but from the one who sent him.
     God was assuring Gideon not only victory but also protection.

GO, GROW AND GLOW …
     Do you want blessing from the Lord? Act now. Remember that the Lord is backing us up. Whatever your desire if there is no action behind it, it will be for naught. Do not fear because the the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (Joshua 1:9).
     Remember these 4 things:
          a.     Gaze of God
          b.     Go with thy might
          c.     Grow in faith
          d.     Glow for the Lord