Fear doesn’t disqualify you

I heard someone talking about the story of Gideon in the Bible and pointed out a few details that I never noticed in that way before. So I just went over to Judges 6 and 7 in the Bible and dug in. Here's a few things that stood out to me this time around.

The call of Gideon starts in chapter 6 verse 11. We see the angel of the LORD (aka the pre-incarnate Christ) who comes to Gideon. He gives him this awesome title of "O mighty man of valor" and it's almost as like Gideon's looking around like huh, me!? Because Gideon labels himself in verse 15 as the weakest/least in his family (means he was the youngest) and is saying "please, Lord" why me!?

The angel of the Lord says I WILL be with you and you WILL strike these Midianites down as one man. Gideon steps into what God has called him to do and says, "then show me a sign" in verse 17.

We see in a few different ways that Gideon is still afraid and doubtful, but he still keeps taking steps forward and continuing in God's calling.

Here's part of the story that I heard and made me dig into Gideon all over again with a curious mind--->

Chapter 7 we see Gideon's army that started out as 32,000 men, right? We know that this army gets cut back by God alllll the way to just 300 men. God says he's doing this "lest Israel boast over me saying, 'my own hand has saved me.'" in verse 2.

Ok stick with me- verse 3- whoever is fearful and trembling let him return home.

God's first test for the army is whoever is so afraid turn back now, and 22,000 of them take the way out. I thought it was SO interesting that we have Gideon; who we know is fearful, who we know is called by God, and God didn't give him the option at the beginning like "ok, if you're too afraid for this you can turn back now". NO. God had called him with purpose and on purpose and God was saying to Gideon I will be with you in this, let's go. Fear wasn't an option for Gideon because Jesus himself (as angel of the Lord) is calling. We get down to where God is showing His strength to Israel and he uses the test of FEAR. I know I might have been like pshh why do they get an out.

I just want you to remember that if you are a child of God he knows you by name and you are called by Him for great and mighty things. God isn't afraid of our fear- as in he knows you- he knows you're human and are capable of fear and he doesn't shy away from using you because of fear in your life. He goes I see you're afraid and doubting and I'm going to show you my strength through this.