I Will Be With You

The preacher began by sharing a personal story. When he first started working, he faced many challenges that made him question whether he could handle the job. But in that season of doubt, a fellow worker came alongside him and offered to help. That act of support reminded him of what Jesus says to each one of us in life’s difficult moments — “I will be with you.”

Life often places us in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations — new jobs, new responsibilities, or painful transitions. Like that worker who offered help, God comes beside us when we are weak, overwhelmed, or afraid, whispering the same promise He gave Gideon: “I will be with you.”

Gideon’s Background and Call (Judges 6:11–17)

The preacher read from the book of Judges 6:11–17, but before building up the message, he also referenced Judges 5:31, showing how Israel’s peace ended and chaos began when the people turned away from God. The children of Israel had done evil, and as a result, God handed them over to the Midianites. For seven years, they lived in fear and oppression.

But even in judgment, God’s mercy was at work. When the Israelites cried out, God sent a prophet to remind them that He had delivered them from Egypt — and that His presence had never left them.

It’s here we meet Gideon, a man hiding in fear, threshing wheat in a winepress — a hole in the ground meant to crush grapes, not grain. He was trying to survive, hiding from the Midianites who stole their harvest and livestock.

Yet this was the man God chose — the one He called “mighty warrior.”

God Sees Beyond Our Weakness 

Gideon may have only seen who he was and what he could do, but God saw who he could become. He didn’t see a coward or a settler, but a mighty hero. [Romans 4:17] reminds us that “God calls things that are not as though they were.”

When God first chose Gideon, he was weak, doubtful, and discouraged. Yet God shaped him into a confident, humble, and courageous leader. This truth reminds us that God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

Even our weaknesses can become the very tools God uses to display His power. When we place our insecurities in His hands, He turns them into testimonies of strength.

As the preacher said, “Gideon doubted and felt abandoned, but God still called him.” How many times have we felt the same way — praying, yet feeling unheard; serving, yet feeling unseen? But even then, God is working behind the scenes, transforming our fear into faith.

God’s Response to Gideon’s Doubts

When Gideon questioned, “How can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family,” God didn’t rebuke him. Instead, He replied gently:

“Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you. I will be with you.”
— Judges 6:14–16

God’s answer to doubt is always His presence. He doesn’t tell us to find more confidence; He reminds us who is with us. His strength fills the gaps where ours fails.

Gideon was weak when called but became strong through obedience. He discovered that victory doesn’t begin on the battlefield — it begins when we believe what God says about us.

So when God calls you, He already knows your potential. He calls you a mighty warrior even when you feel small and fearful.

Lies We Believe About Ourselves

The preacher then challenged us with a piercing question:

“What lies have you believed about yourself? Who told you that you couldn’t rise higher, break that addiction, start that business, or answer the call of God?”

Often, we let our situation speak louder than God’s Word. Poverty, background, lack of opportunity, or even inner fears whisper that we’re not enough. But God calls us beyond our limitations.

He doesn’t see us as we are — He sees what we can become. Just like He did with Gideon, He calls out our hidden potential.

So don’t let your past define your purpose. Don’t let your failures drown out God’s voice. If He says “I will be with you,” then your victory is already written in His plan.

Response to Conflicts 

Every believer faces conflicts — inner battles, external pressures, or overwhelming circumstances. Like Gideon, we may try our best to survive and adapt, but sometimes we simply settle for less, hiding in our own “winepresses.”

The preacher reminded us that Gideon had resigned himself to survival. But God didn’t want him to survive; He wanted him to overcome.

Whatever your conflict — whether fear, financial stress, or family struggle — God is saying, “Go with the strength you have.”

You might feel small, but obedience in small steps opens the door to miracles. Gideon’s victory began when he stepped out of hiding.

God Sees a Mighty Warrior 

When God sees Gideon, He calls him “Mighty Man of War.” That same declaration is true for you. God’s Word always defines you higher than your circumstance.

The preacher humorously told the women in the congregation to go home and tell their husbands, “You are a mighty hero!” He said that when women start speaking faith over their men, they’ll witness wonders just as God did through Gideon.

Faith-filled words have creative power. When you call forth strength in others, you participate in God’s work of transformation.

Lessons from Gideon 

From Gideon’s life, we draw several vital lessons:

1. God Sees Your Potential — Like Gideon, we may feel insignificant, but God looks beyond our insecurities. He addresses the mighty warrior within us.

2. Embrace Your Weakness — Instead of seeing weakness as shameful, see it as the perfect canvas for God’s power. When we surrender, His strength shines brightest.

3. Beware the Allure of Success — Gideon’s story warns us about pride. Even after victory, we must remain humble, giving glory to God.

4. Trust in the Ultimate Sign — Gideon asked for a sign, but we already have one greater: the cross of Jesus Christ. In Him, we have proof of God’s unfailing love.

These four lessons frame the entire Christian walk — identity, humility, vigilance, and faith.

Faith That Transforms

The preacher highlighted that Gideon’s decision to “go in the strength he had” is an inspiring example for us today. God can do a lot with a few small steps of faith.

Faith doesn’t always look spectacular — sometimes it’s simply showing up when we feel afraid, speaking truth when we want to stay silent, or giving when we barely have enough.

God took Gideon from hiding in fear to leading a nation in victory. That same transformation awaits anyone who dares to believe that God’s presence is enough.

Application for Us Today

Like Gideon, we all face “Midianites” — enemies that drain our strength, rob our peace, and make us doubt our calling. But the message of this sermon is clear: God is with you.

When you’re overwhelmed, God says, “Go in the strength you have.”
When you doubt yourself, He whispers, “I am with you.”
When you’re tempted to settle, He calls you “mighty warrior.”

Let this truth reshape how you see yourself. The same God who transformed Gideon from a fearful farmer into a courageous leader is ready to work through you.

Conclusion

The story of Gideon reminds us that the smallest faith, when surrendered to God, can bring extraordinary results.

When you feel unqualified, remember: God is your qualification.
When you feel weak, remember: His strength is made perfect in weakness.
When you doubt your worth, remember: God calls things that are not as though they were.

So today, rise up. Step out of your hiding place. Speak faith into your life and others’. For the Lord who called Gideon still speaks today:

“Go with the strength you have … I will be with you.”