Day 144: When God Calls a Reluctant Warrior

Today’s Reading:
Judges 4–6, Psalm 119:161–176, Proverbs 22, Romans 1

Today’s Scripture: Judges 6:12 (NLT)
“The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!’”

Devotional:

Gideon was hiding in a winepress, trying to thresh wheat in secret—barely surviving, definitely not thriving. Israel was oppressed, afraid, and desperate. And right there in that mess, God shows up.

But He doesn’t greet Gideon with pity.
He calls him “mighty hero.”

Come again?

Gideon wasn’t acting like a warrior.
He wasn’t leading anyone.
He wasn’t even praying—he was surviving.

But God doesn’t call you based on your situation.
He calls you based on your identity.

He sees something in you that you don’t yet see in yourself.

God calls Gideon to rise up and lead Israel into victory. But Gideon pushes back. He feels too weak. Too insignificant. Too uncertain. Sound familiar?

Most of us don’t feel ready when God calls us.
But God doesn’t need your résumé—He wants your yes.

And even when Gideon asks for signs and confirmation (and more signs), God doesn’t shame him. He meets him with patience and power.

Listen:
You might be in a winepress season.
You might be doubting your ability, your influence, your calling.
But God is still speaking.

“Mighty warrior—the Lord is with you.”

Now go in the strength you have.

Reflection Questions:

What insecurity or fear has been keeping you in the “winepress”?
What might change if you believed God’s identity statement over your own self-doubt?

Prayer:

Father, I admit—I don’t always feel like a warrior. Sometimes I feel small, uncertain, or overwhelmed. But I hear You calling me. And if You’re with me, I can step into what You’ve assigned me to do. Give me the courage to say yes, even when I don’t feel qualified. Let my obedience be greater than my insecurity. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

Digging Deeper:

Judges 4–6 showcases how God raises up unexpected leaders. First, Deborah—a prophetess and judge who leads Israel with clarity and courage. Then Barak, who hesitates. Then Jael, who finishes the battle with a tent peg and holy grit. And finally Gideon, who’s full of doubts but still called. God delights in using the unlikely to show His unmatched glory.

Psalm 119:161–176 ends the longest chapter of the Bible with passionate devotion. The psalmist is persecuted, but remains grounded in the Word. He closes by saying, “I have wandered like a lost sheep; come and find me.” Even the most faithful need rescue.

Proverbs 22 is packed with wisdom about legacy and integrity. “Train up a child in the way they should go…” (v.6) isn’t just about parenting—it’s about intentional discipleship that lasts.

Romans 1 kicks off Paul’s letter with both weight and wonder. He lays out humanity’s problem—how we’ve traded God’s truth for lies, worshiping created things over the Creator. But he also declares the power of the gospel—“It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” (v.16)

God isn’t asking if you feel heroic.
He’s calling you to believe that He is with you—and that’s enough.