Perception vs Reality
Judges 6:12; 14-15, "12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”…14 And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you? 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house."
Whose report do you believe? What happens when our perception contradicts the truth of God’s reality? Often times our perception i.e. “our reality” is opposite and antithetical to God’s reality which is ultimate truth. Gideon’s perception is that he is from the weakest tribe in Manasseh and he is the"runt of the litter" in his family (MSG). But God’s reality is much different! The truth is when God saw Gideon threshing wheat in hiding, God saw him and greeted him, “GOD is with you, O mighty warrior!” What is seen is that Gideon was in fact from the weakest tribe and was the least in his family but what is unseen is that He is a mighty warrior! God being atemporal (existing and functioning outside of time) sees Gideon for who he really is and the mighty man of valor that he is becoming.
I believe in the report of the Lord! I believe in his economy of choosing the weak and foolish things in this world to shame the wise. Just as he chose Israel because they were the least of all the nations and Gideon as the weakest in his family he chose me so that he might receive all the glory. Function in the multiplication by subtraction: God multiplied his glory & fame when he subtracted Gideon’s army from 22,000 soldiers to 300 men so that Gideon would know in their heart of hearts that it was all God! Points of application:
- When I stumble in sin: believe the report that I am forgiven, perfect and flawless because of his grace and finished work on the cross.
- When I miss the mark in my leadership and church performance, believe the report that it is God’s kingdom and He is advancing it for his glory!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me inspite of me! Thank you for grace that’s undeserved and love that is unconditional! Help me to “prepare my mind for action” (1 Peter 1:13) and stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus! Strengthen me Holy Spirit to walk in and live out in the reality of your truth. When my heart begins to wander and stray in my perception or other’s expectations correct me Jesus! May I always believe in the report of the Lord. Help me to lead with myself, my marriage and family and your church with truth and grace.