"But Lord," Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my family." Judges 6:15
Gideon amazes me. He thought so little of himself, but he was chosen by God Himself to save the Israelites from the oppression of Midian. In Gideon's eyes, he saw himself as small - not only small, but the smallest of the small.
His clan was the weakest.
He was the least of his family.
These excuses seem rather silly when one considers to whom Gideon gave them. Any excuses we may give God are silly because no man is limited when God stands with him.
It appears that Gideon was from a family of influence. The altar to Baal he destroyed and the Asherah pole he cut down belonged to his father, yet the men of the town were enraged. Obviously, these gods were central to the community, and since they belonged to Gideon's father, one could assume he was a key figure among them. Despite the position of his family, Gideon saw himself as nothing. Despite Gideon's opinion, God saw him as great. The angel of the Lord called him "mighty warrior." God saw Gideon's future, and history proved His words to be true. If only Gideon could have heard it.
Lord, what is it that You call me that I can't even hear? You see my future, yet like Gideon, I see myself as so little. If I had eyes to see, I would be surprised. I think every man would be surprised by the things that could be accomplished if we would only hear what You say to us. Help me, Father, to make a difference. Help me to see the man You have made me to be. Help me to quit making excuses.