Never Disqualify The Weakest And The Least

Never Disqualify the Weakest and the Least

In my contact with pastors and churches in rural America, I find it interesting that many fall prey to the Gideon syndrome of despair.  Prior to a direct Word of encouragement from God, many ministers try to advance the kingdom with a limited understanding of their significance.  Gideon was threshing wheat while hiding from the enemy. (Judges 6:11) When the Angel of the Lord appeared to him (v.12), a declaration was made over him saying, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

I know many of you have been to conferences and seminars where large ministries are showcased.  Many compare their ministry in a smaller county to the numerical impact of the mega-size churches, which is an unbalanced evaluation.  The enemy would love for you to see yourself as a person of failure, instead of a person of valor.  That is not the intent of the people who host the conferences and seminar.  They are trying to encourage you, but if you are not careful to hear the Lord’s voice in regards to your smaller county, you can feel small.

The Lord had called Gideon, who felt the weakest and least, (vs.15 NKJ), to save Israel.  The Lord even continued in v.16 saying, “Surely, I will be with you and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”  I personally get recharged with fresh vision and purpose for my rural county every time I read those passages.  The problem so often is not the minimalist size of our counties, churches or resources, but the attitude of smallness we have taken on as our own identity.

Gideon finally “perceived” (v.22), that this visitation truly was an Angel of the Lord.  He built an altar there and called it “The-Lord-Is Peace.”  My prayer for each of you today is that the Lord will grant you “peace” over your call to rural America.  Once you “perceive” that the Lord is wanting to use your vision and your unified team, God’s fulfilled purpose becomes the natural byproduct.

The Lord even required Gideon (remember the one who considered himself the weakest and least), to downsize his team from 32,000 to 10,000 to finally 300.  300 unified members of a team is not a small number, but remember, he was accustomed to 32,000.  That is a ratio of 1 to 107, in comparison  to his original size.  Limited in size, but not limited in faith and vision, Gideon defeated the enemy with a seemingly ridiculous plan.  The awesome truth is that God directed this man of valor and anointed his steps.

Maybe today you are battling the insecure feeling of the weakest and the least.  Reread Judges 6 and 7 and allow God to show you that He is directing your steps.  I also encourage you to connect to a Significant Church Conference, where you will be validated in the peaceful anointing the Lord has declared to rest over you.

To all the Gideon’s out there, “You are a Mighty Person of Valor!”   We celebrate your call to rural America.  Go defeat the enemy and claim your area for Christ.

Pastor Mark Harrell