There are two chapters in the Book of Judges that are a “must” read. It will only take you eight minutes. Read Judges 7 first. It is an account of obedience, courage and victory.

God reduced Gideon’s army of 32,000 men to 300 before sending them to rout an enemy force of 135,000 (Judges 8:10).

Next, back up and read Judges 6. Gideon identifies himself as young, weak and inadequate, with an unstable faith.

What changed this man so that he would boldly lead a handful of men into the camp of an overwhelming army? It is what made him a legend.

Gideon is an example of what God does in the making of a life-legend. God must hold first place in his life.

The people of Israel, including Gideon’s family had drifted away from God and replaced Him with several pagan idols. God tasked Gideon with a life-threatening assignment — tear down the idols in the city.

God had to be Gideon’s God if He was going to use him.

Sin, what we do in defiance of God, weakens us. It robs us of freedom, boldness and strength. It makes us timid about approaching God, believing God or obeying God.

When we buy into cultural norms that conflict with Scripture, it degrades our faith and chips away at our confidence before God.

We cannot miss the order of events that unfolded in Gideon's life — that Gideon had to be right before God before God would use him significantly.

You may never be called to take on such odds as Gideon faced, but God will ask you to do things that are not possible in your own strength or insight.

You will find confidence in God and His guidance in the context of a right relationship with Him.