Judges 6:12
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
When the angel appeared to Gideon, Gideon was very fearful and down on himself. When the angel found Gideon, he was hiding from the Midianites, secretly hiding food and fearfully running from the enemy. However, when the angel came to meet Gideon, he didn't address Gideon in his present state of mind and heart, but he addressed him as God saw him and what he could do if he would just surrender to God’s will.
We all love the story of Gideon taking the three hundred men and defeating the great Midianite army, but this would have never happened had the angel not caused Gideon to believe God’s purpose for his life. The angel is as much a part of the narrative of Gideon’s life as was Gideon. The angel’s message is what turned a fearful, down-on-himself, and timid man into a courageous, confident, and faith-driven man.
Anytime you see the word “angel” in the Scriptures, it pictures God’s preacher. In the book of Revelation, God calls the pastor of each church an angel. The word “angel” simply means messenger. So, an angel of God is simply a messenger of God. I want you to realize that God calls all of us to be His angel to someone. No, God does not call all to pastor, but He does command all of His children to be His messengers to people. Imagine what would happen in your church and city if all of God’s messengers had the same message that this angel had for Gideon. I want to point out the characteristics of the message of this angel that you should have when trying to help others.
First, it was a message of confidence. The verse above says, And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him… This angel knew who he was and who he represented. This angel was not confident in himself, but was confident in Who he represented. You will find it hard to help others if you are not confident with your message. Always understand that it is not your message, but it is God’s message. Because it is God’s message, it is truth that should cause you to be confident in what you are saying to others. Always remember that it is not what you can do, but it is the power of what God’s Word can do in others that should cause you to be confident.
Second, it was a message of belief in a person. The angel said to Gideon, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. This mighty man of valour was the man who was hiding in fear, but the angel was giving confidence to Gideon in what he could become if he gave himself to God. People need someone to believe in them, and your words of challenge that God can use them may be the very words that turn a fearful person into a great person of faith. You will always do more for people if you have a message of belief that God can do great works through an individual.
Third, it was a message of challenge. The angel said in verse 14, …Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites… Be a person who challenges someone to do something great for God instead of a person who discourages people by belittling them. Gideon needed someone to believe in him and challenge him to turn him into a great hero of faith. Most people just need someone to believe in them and challenge them for them to become a great tool in God’s hand. Let me encourage you to be that messenger that believes and challenges others to do something great for God.
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