Just Jump

"Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” Judges 6:36-37 NLT

Have you ever prayed to God asking for multiple confirmations about an area of your life before moving? You prayed, and He answered, but you focused more on what you could see rather than trusting and believing in what He said. It's not always easy jumping into something new or challenging because many of us have a fear of failing. We do not trust in our abilities, and for this reason, we remain still.

In the book of Judges, chapter 6, it opens up with God giving the Israelites to the Midianites due to their disobedience for seven years. During this time, the Midianites robbed them of their goods and livestock, leaving the Israelites to starve. They cried out to God for help, and God begins to answer them, in verse 14 by speaking to Gideon, one of the Israelites. God speaks to Gideon saying “Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” Gideon responded to God with two remarks. One, he shares with God that his clan is the weakest of all the Israelites. Two, amongst his family, Gideon is the least qualified. What I found interesting while studying this chapter was God already knew that Gideon belonged to a weak clan and that he was the least qualified, but still, God chose him for the assignment. In verse 16, God tries to reassure Gideon by saying "I will be with you!" However, God's word was not enough for Gideon, and he needed to see signs that God was who He said He was. God had patience with Gideon, as He does with us, by revealing Himself to Gideon through multiple signs. By the end of chapter 6, Gideon cries out to the Lord because he realizes that He's in the Lord's presence. Furthermore, in Chapter 7, Gideon obeys God by carrying out his assignment in defeating the Midianites.

As Gideon did, we too, ask God to show us signs before moving. However, we have to get to a level of spiritual maturity where we stand on God's word alone that wherever we go and whatever we do, God is there with us. It may be uncomfortable or unimaginable because you are focusing on the situation, but God looks and sees beyond that. You may not trust in your abilities, as Gideon displayed, but God believes in you because it is Him that is working through you. Therefore, pray, listen, believe in yourself, and just jump!