Coward to Conqueror

The angel appeared and spoke to Gideon, “The LORD is helping you, and you are a strong warrior.”

Judges 6:12 (CEV)

We tend to think heroes are always brave or that somehow, they were born with uncommon strength. And we feel like we are not equipped with that strength.

Gideon knew he was no hero. He was a coward in a weak country. He was trying to hide his food supplies from the enemies who were obliterating his country when an angel came to him. “The Lord is helping you, and you are a strong warrior,” the angel said. Gideon’s first reaction was to argue about both parts of the statement. He did not think the Lord was with him or his people. And he did not see himself as a mighty warrior.

When Gideon finally believed that the Lord was with him, he gave God control of his life. He chose obedience. In time, God used him to lead a small army into battle. They defeated their enemies because they had the Lord on their side.

As a teenager these days, you are called to be brave in many ways. You may not feel like you have enough strength. You may be overwhelmed by the hardships of your circumstances or the attacks of the world.

But God is with you. If you give him control of your life, he can give you the courage to fight, from coward to conqueror. With God behind you, you got this!

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Are there areas in your life where you are hiding? Do you wish you could be braver sometimes? Ask God to help you stand up for what is right. Write out a prayer to God. Tell him what you’re feeling now. Ask him for a task you can do today!

INSPIRATION

“Today is what the Lord has prepared you for.”

—Mark Dever, contemporary American pastor and author from Washington, D.C.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Refer to the tabbed Bible references to read the passages today.

Joshua 1:5

Judges 7:15

2 Corinthians 12:9

Hebrews 13:5b–6