We are familiar with the unwavering story of the faith of Abraham. His faith was so unwavering that he’s included in the Hall of faith in the book of Hebrews. Abraham had faith in God to the extent that he was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, believing that God would bring him back to life.
Abraham never doubted God and His promises. Even when it seemed like the promise was taking too long, his faith was steadfast. He knew that He who promised was faithful to fulfill His Word.
Contrary to Abraham’s steadfast, unwavering faith, there’s Gideon. Compared to Abraham’s faith, Gideon’s faith was as small as a mustard seed. He needed proof that indeed God would do what He said He would.
In Judges 6:11, an angel of God appears to Gideon calling him a mighty warrior and that God will use him to defeat Israel’s enemies. This name took Gideon out because it was contrary to the circumstances he was in and Israel’s situation. He didn’t have enough faith to believe what God was saying to him.
And sometimes we are like Gideon. God speaks and promises us something and we look at ourselves, our circumstances, our family history, and the labels that we have normalized about us and we wonder if God is being crazy.
And so Gideon puts God to the test using a fleece in Judges 6:36–40. He asks God that if indeed it’s Him, there would be dew on the fleece and the ground would be dry in the morning. And God is so patient and loving with our faith journey that He gave Gideon the sign he asked for.
In our Christian walk, we have seasons where our faith is unwavering like Abraham’s. Especially when things are going well because it’s easier to have faith when mountains are moving in your life. However, when mountains remain unmovable, having faith to believe in God’s promises takes everything in you. To remain steadfast and unwavering in your faith when God is silent is a different kind of ball game. In such moments, when God speaks, we tend to have the fleece of Gideon. At least I do.
I believe that both stories are included in the Bible because God knew that we would experience both scenarios in our faith journey. Gideon didn’t have giant faith like Abraham but he had faith, even as small as a mustard seed and that’s all that matters.
The Bible says in Matthew 17:20 that faith as small as a mustard seed will move mountains. That tells me that faith doesn’t have to be giant or bold to be genuine or to move God. As long as you have faith, God will move.
The best part is that Gideon too made it to the Hebrews Hall of faith. And that encourages me. At the end of Gideon’s story, his faith was no longer as small as a mustard seed. As you continue to walk in your faith journey, God, in His loving kindness, will reassure you of His power. And you’ll grow your faith muscles to Abraham’s degree where you’ll never question or doubt what God says to you.
