“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” – Judges 6:12
REFERENCE
Judges 6:11-24
Our minds cannot fully grasp the potential locked up in the Word of God. Proverbs 4:22 says, “For they are life to those who find them…” There is nothing ever written that has the capacity to turn men into heroes than the Word of God. We will consider some truths everyone can find in God’s Word for victorious living, and today, we will look at the concept of identity.
Man was created in the image of God – to be fruitful, to dominate and to subdue all things. Adam was an unusual man operating on a supernatural level. However, he lost it all to Satan’s deception. Since then, mankind has had problems with his identity, he has settled for less than God desires for him to be, do or have.
Let’s consider Gideon. Gideon had been decimated by life’s circumstances. He and his people had gone through seasons of oppression and the plundering of their hard-earned resources. He eventually moved his business into a hidden corner, content with just survival. Unknown to him, the capacity to be a great military leader was within him, but his experience told him otherwise. He had an identity crisis – a great soldier selling fruit drinks.
Many people live below their potential. Their sense of identity has been damaged by their economy, condition of their birth, lack of appropriate qualifications, and because the people they trusted used and dumped them. They have settled for a life of mediocrity and would rather hide than attempt anything great, bold or incredible.
It took God’s Word by the Angel to show Gideon his true identity. He said to him in his cave, “God is with you; you are a mighty man of valor.” Gideon must have been shocked. He thought God had forgotten him and that his current lot (position) was his allotted portion in life. However, God’s Word revealed to him a new perspective about who he really was.
Often, we feel limited and hesitant to venture because of the faulty way we see ourselves – fat, introverted, shy, unintelligent, broke, fearful, old or not beautiful. Who has your circumstances called you? What name do you answer to that undermines God’s purpose for you? What potentials have you hidden for fear of being misunderstood? Your identity is in the Word of God. God says, “You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: for with you I will break the nation in pieces; with you I will destroy kingdoms,” (Jeremiah 51:20). In Matthew 28, Jesus said, “I am with you even till the end of the age.” Paul said, “You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” (II Corinthians 5:21). And God said in Zechariah 2:8 that you are the apple of His eyes.
God’s Word can restore you to the original dominion in the garden; then you can do great exploits as Gideon also did. All he needed was the Word that reminded him of how God saw him. Get into the Word of God, find your identity and live a fulfilling and impactful life, in Jesus’ name.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL READING:
Isaiah 41:8-16 & Joshua 1:1-9
PRAYER :
+ Lord I refuse every name that I have been given or called which is different from that which You call me.
+ Help me to see myself the way You see me, so I can do and be all You intended for me to be in Jesus’ name.
