Threshing Wheat In The Valley Of Despair

The story of Gideon.

Calling on God in Our Lowest Moments

Have you ever found yourself in a place where it seemed like you had so much responsibility, so much need, and so little room to move? Have you ever felt cornered on all sides, with your margin for error razor-thin in relationships, health, time, or ability? Perhaps your marriage is teetering, your job situation is precarious, or anxiety is overwhelming you. You still have responsibilities to fulfill, but it feels like you have all the burden and none of the tools.

This scenario mirrors the situation of Gideon in the book of Judges. We find him threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress, hiding from the Midianites who had been persecuting Israel. The once-promised land had become a place of fear and scarcity, with invaders consuming their crops and leaving them with nothing.

But in this moment of desperation, something remarkable happens. The Israelites cry out to the Lord for help. This simple act of calling on God becomes the turning point in their story. It reminds us of a profound truth: our lowest point is often the threshold of our greatest miracle.

When we find ourselves at rock bottom, it's easy to feel like we're too far gone for God to reach us. But the beauty of God's love is that it doesn't require us to clean ourselves up first. We don't need to wear the right clothes, have the right invitation, or be accepted by the elite. All we need to do is call out to the Lord.

Romans 10:13 assures us, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." This promise isn't conditional – it's absolute. No matter how dire your circumstances, how deep your pit, or how dark your night, calling on the Lord can be the catalyst for your deliverance.

In Gideon's story, we see God responding to this cry for help in a personal and powerful way. The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, addressing him as "Mighty hero." This divine encounter teaches us an important lesson: our present condition is no indication of our future potential in Christ Jesus.

God sees beyond our current circumstances. Where Gideon saw weakness, God saw a mighty warrior. Where we see our failures and shortcomings, God sees the potential for greatness through His power working in us. This truth should encourage us to speak life over ourselves and others, even when situations seem bleak.

The narrative takes an interesting turn when God instructs Gideon to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole – symbols of the idolatry that had led Israel astray. This act of obedience, though done in fear and under the cover of night, marks the beginning of Gideon's journey from hiding to heroism.

This part of the story highlights an important principle: holiness unto God unleashes the power of God. When we choose to honor God above all else, even in small, trembling steps of faith, we open the door for His power to work in and through us.

The townspeople's reaction to the destroyed altar brings another pivotal moment. They demand Gideon's death, but his father Joash stands up for him with a challenge: "If Baal truly is a god, let him defend himself." This bold stance earns Gideon the nickname Jerub-Baal, meaning "let Baal defend himself."

This incident teaches us that our choice to honor God can change the atmosphere around us. It can influence how people talk about God and how they perceive us. It can spark transformation in our families, workplaces, and communities.

The story of Gideon serves as a powerful reminder that God often chooses the unlikely to accomplish the extraordinary. He doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Your past mistakes, current struggles, or feelings of inadequacy don't disqualify you from being used by God. In fact, they might be the very things that position you for a divine encounter.

As we reflect on this narrative, we're challenged to examine our own lives. What are the "altars" we need to tear down? What areas of compromise are holding us back from fully experiencing God's power? Are we willing to step out in faith, even if our knees are shaking?

Remember, everyone serves something or someone. There's always an altar call in our lives, whether we recognize it or not. The question is, which altar will we choose? Will we bow to the idols of our culture – success, comfort, popularity – or will we choose to serve the living God?

The invitation is clear: leave behind the things that hinder, the self-doubt, the destructive patterns. Embrace your identity as a child of God, created in His image. Step out of the shadows, out of the winepress, and onto the plains where God can use you mightily.

In your moments of weakness, hear God calling you "Mighty hero." In your times of hiding, hear Him calling you out to stand in the open. When the enemy accuses, stand firm in the knowledge that the God who is in you is greater than any scheme or agenda against you.

Today could be a defining moment in your life. God is looking for those who will boldly proclaim their faith, who will bring their families to worship, who will share their beliefs unashamedly. He's seeking those who will make Him the dominant influence in every arena of their lives.

Whatever challenge you're facing, whatever miracle you need, know that the God who turned Gideon from a fearful farmer into a mighty warrior is the same God who is with you today. He sees your potential, He knows your name, and He's ready to do the miraculous in your life.

Will you answer His call? Will you step out in faith? The journey from hiding to heroism begins with a single step. Take that step today, and watch as God transforms your valley of despair into a mountaintop of victory.