The Highest Approval
ICS Daily Devotions
Judges 7:15-16 (NKJV) And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshipped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, “Arise, for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers.
In Judges 6:11-16, a fearful Gideon was hiding from the Midianites. He lacked confidence, had a poor self-image, and was doubtful of the presence of God. However, following God’s affirmation towards him, he became a changed man. God called him a mighty man of valour, said He would be with him, and that he would defeat the Midianites (Judges 6:12,16).
God gave Him a promise, corrected his self-image, and he received a brand-new identity from the Lord. He was now someone made for God and whom God was with. He was sure that he had met God and He worshipped Him. He was confident that God had a calling and purpose for his life for such a time as this. Therefore, he arose to the call of God to do great exploits for Him and His people. He was no longer held back by his past, family background, or lack of experience or achievement. Instead, He held onto God.
The opening passage records how Gideon spoke after accepting how God viewed him, and how his faith arose after receiving God’s promise. He must have had a personal breakthrough in his self-image through what the others said about him (Judges 7:13-14) before he could lead the 300 men. He accepted what God called him: a mighty man of valour. This term symbolises a warrior who is full of confidence on the battlefield before the enemy. The picture that God had of Gideon was on the opposite end of how Gideon saw himself when the angel of God found him.
The person whose affirmation we hold in high regards affects our thinking, speech, and action. Gideon behaved like a warrior and conqueror after God’s affirmation. Gideon’s background didn’t change; what changed was that his identity was now in how God looked at him, and what the Word of God has promised him. He rested on his identity as a conqueror and warrior of the almighty God.
As believers, God should be our greatest and most esteem cheerleader! This new identity in Jesus was given to us purely by grace. It is established on our being in Christ. There is no need to perform. Instead, we can rest on the complete work. It is a strong and unshakable foundation because it has to do with all that God has done for us, and nothing to do with us. The highest approval and what will ultimately help us to be settled in our hearts is from God.
Sermon Series: How to Do Well in Your New Identity?
