“He said to Him, “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15).
There is a false belief in this world that the Christian life is free from trouble. The Bible clearly shows that pursuing God’s righteousness will cause many difficulties. Paul explained this predicament to a young preacher named Timothy: “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Even Christians must face the troubles of life. There is no easy way, there is no quick way but there is a safe way and that is through Jesus Christ. When we focus on Jesus and His abilities instead of our own, victory truly awaits. Gideon was one who focused on his own ability and couldn’t see victory, but when he focused on God he was victorious over his fears.
Here in Azle God’s people will have to go through trials also. When we focus on our own abilities we will fail. Paul said Christians live life in a manner that is pleasing to God. God finds no pleasure in His children being overcome by trials. He has given us His Son to remind us that victory can be ours if we will focus on His power and not our own. His plan of salvation cannot be conceived by human minds so He sent His Son to bring the impossible to reality (i.e. John 3:16). But when we focus on our own ideas and abilities to obtain salvation we will fail. We must simply trust and obey our Lord’s teaching. You cannot believe in Jesus and not do what He says: “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:16). Many today know Jesus as Savior, but do not recognize Him as Master: “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:22-23). Jesus denounces anyone who doesn’t heed His words and even refers to their practice as “lawless.” This is the title that goes to anyone who focuses on their own abilities instead of having faith in His plan of salvation.
We can only be right with God by dying to our own beliefs and powers and “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). He is the beginning and the end of salvation. We must make His words our way of life and depend on God’s providence to keep us safe in and find the victory of salvation.
–Cub Orcutt