Fleece

Angel: “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”

Gideon: “But…”

Angel: “I will be with you, and you will strike the Midianites as one man.”

Gideon: “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have said, behold I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.”

God: Did it.

Gideon: “Please let me test one more time with the fleece…”

God: Did it again. “Now – Go down against the [Midian] camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.”

Then Gideon went with Purah…

And they call Thomas “Doubting.”

But how many of us are just like Gideon? And usually (okay for me – always), God isn’t asking us to go into battle against a superior fighting force using REAL swords… that cause REAL wounds…and possibly REAL death. For us, it’s more like God saying, “Obey my commands… even when you don’t want to.”

And our response:

“Oh, I don’t know if I can do it. God probably doesn’t want me to really obey. I mean, not all the time. People might think I’m weird… How could I be an effective witness if they think I’m weird?

“Okay, I feel better about that now. I think. God, do you really want me to obey? I mean… I… I’ll tell you what, God. If you want me to do this, then make it crystal clear to me – somehow.”

I’ve done that…more than once. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m alone in this. Neither do I think this is what the story is trying to show us. God is not about miracles or magic just to help us see what he wants us to do.

However, if confirmation helps you do what he’s already asked you to do, He might. God asked, quite possibly, the biggest chicken in the world to become an army commander. Confidence boosters were exactly what Gideon needed.

But don’t read the story and expect God to wet the fleece for you.

First you must listen. Open your heart to hear the voice of God calling you to service. Note that Gideon said twice as you have said. He already knew what God wanted. Gideon’s struggle was with obedience.

When God has asked you to do something, he will grant what you need to be obedient. Ask him for it…again and again, if necessary. He will provide.