I Can't
Insecurity. It feels like an epidemic of late. There are probably many reasons for this seeming escalation but in reality it goes all the way back to the beginning. It just seems to be at the core of our human nature since the Fall of Man. People all throughout history have questioned their own ability, or talent to do the things that God has asked of them.
Feeling insecure almost seems like a natural response when God asks, “Hey Gideon would you mind taking 300 men and going to battle against an innumerable army?” Or Moses will you go before Pharaoh and deliver my people from bondage when Moses felt he could not speak clearly. God has asked some crazy things of his people in Bible history. But…every one of them seemed to pull off the impossible insecurities and all.
I love the story of Gideon. The Midianities had oppressed Israel for years because of Israel’s disobedience. God’s people would plant crops for food and Midian would come and burn them to the ground. They were oppressed and hungry! One day God comes to a guy named Gideon in Judges 6:12 and says, “The Lord is with you, oh mighty man of valor!” But poor Gideon knew his family linage all too well and He replies, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all of this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianities.”
He is oppressed, hungry and feels sorry for himself! He reassures God that there are REASONS he cannot do what God has purposed. In verse 15 he states, “O my Lord, how can “I” save Israel? Indeed “my” clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and “I” am the least in “my” fathers house.” Me, my, mine…he is looking at everything he is not and not at who God is! God doesn’t need our talent or fine name or our strength.
Paul had an issue that he asked God to remove. God told him in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Anything God asks us to accomplish for Him he already knows that we cannot do it. If we could accomplish it then we could take the credit or glory for what was done. His strength is made perfect in our weakness when through his endowment of ability we accomplish what he asks.
God desires that we lean, rely and totally depend on him for everything. Never should we boast or brag on what we do for the Kingdom because none of it could be done without his ability within us to do it. All of us have different talents, strengths and abilities. We don’t need to compare ourselves with other people.
I love to paint, create and do all things crafty. My sister…not so much. I talked her into a painting class once and as she was attempting to paint she just looked at me and said…”I hate you right now.” We laughed so hard at her painting! It is just not her gifting. She does not need to feel insecure about that. She just has me paint for her! But she is super gifted in office work. Me….heck no. I don’t feel bad about that because it’s just not my strength.
Gods answer to Gideon’s list of cant’s in verse 16 was, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianities as one man.” God endowed Gideon with all of the strength and understanding of how to defeat these enemies. Gideon started with 10,000 men and God whittled it down to 300 so that everyone would know God had won this victory for Israel and not Gideon and his men.
What is God asking you to do? I know it feels scary. Fear is a very real enemy. But know this, he is going to be right there with you. Ask him for what you need then step out and do it afraid. You will see he will not fail you! #WontHeDoIt