Don’t call me Gideon! If you do, I won’t answer. I have issues with him. Here’s the plus side–Gideon’s one of the judges of ancient Israel. An early one before they acquired kings. Both Gideon and Samson have the most written about their terms of service. But Gideon’s unique–the only judge, recorded in the Bible, who speaks directly with God.

So, what’s wrong with good old Gideon? What’s not to like? Here are my thoughts. Even though he hears directly from the Lord, and God encourages and compliments Gideon for his heroic character, Gideon cowers in unbelief and self-doubt despite all God’s promises.

Let’s check out some background. Israel has some nasty neighbors. The Midianites, who are distant relatives, pillage the land and steal as much of Israel’s food as they can. They’re human locusts. That’s why Gideon is found threshing wheat in a winepress, hoping the enemy will not look into this out-of-season place. And in that hiding place is where God calls Gideon to defeat those sneaky, thieving, so-called and no-good relatives.

Gideon grapples with what the Lord promises him–“‘Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house’. And the Lord said to him, ‘But I will be with you, and you will strike the Midianites as one man'” (Judges 6:15-16). Basically, Gideon can’t imagine how this will work out– this deal with the Lord. He’s refusing to take a risk on the Lord, even with God’s promises of help and protection ringing in his ears. Gideon still begs off, wanting to back out.

Finally, as a last-ditch effort, as if shaking in his boots, Gideon puts those fleece tests before God. You remember them, don’t you? If not, read the latter part of Judges 6. It’s sad to see someone who hears from God and still doesn’t believe, who knows that God has helped his people in the past, yet still lives in fear and trepidation in the present, while biting his fingernails about the future.

Don’t call me Gideon! But if I’m honest, you should. Way too often I read of God’s promises, and yet I walk around fearful of when the next shoe will drop. Wondering if something horrible is just around the bend. That I’ll fall flat on my face as if God couldn’t care less. That my best wishes will dissolve into some nightmare scenario. Like the Lord doesn’t even exist. And if He does, He’s against me, wants to see me stumble, nose-dive, and collapse. Maybe even toss a handful of Kosher salt in my wounds. Oy vey, call me Gideon!

Best not to be too hard on that Bible character. Rather, I myself should learn to trust what the Lord says. To stop testing and fleecing Him. And get in line behind Him, as a follower. Let Jesus take the lead. And for me to trust my Lord that He’s as good as His Word… always.

Okay, I know that I’m no sterling example of anything. I get that. Boy, do I! But lest I ever forget that I’m forgiven, cleansed, made new, and born again because of Jesus and His good promises. Understood, Fischer? I’m trying. I know, very! But God knows that I’m worth the effort. You are also. Do you believe that? Do you?

Lord Jesus, I believe in you and trust you. Thank you for being my Savior and Friend. Amen.

Somewhere I read that the most important words you can say in a relationship are ‘thank you’. I thought it was ‘I love you’, but maybe the article referred to all kinds of relationships, not exclusively a husband and wife. Shouldn’t be hard to say those two golden words, should it? Do you hear them very often? Or have we become an entitlement society? Others expect whatever from us? ‘Hand it over. I deserve it’. You get the point.

I have to ask myself if I utter those two words regularly. Or have I fallen into an ingratitude trap, presuming my rights. Should be easy-peasy to say ‘thank you’. Hardly any effort involved. So, why is that so hard?

That story in Luke 17 tells of ten men with a disease that requires lengthy quarantine. The condition is called leprosy, but in the Bible that word covers several communicable skin diseases. Whatever it is, it’s highly contagious. As Jesus walks by, these ten men cry out from a secluded distance–‘…Jesus, Master, have mercy on us’ (Luke 17:13). Immediately, the Lord does exactly that, while telling them to show themselves as healed to some religious leaders, verifying this miracle. At first, these men notice no change in their malady until they start on their journey and then, yes, wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, they’re all healed! Each and every one. Clean as clean can be. Skin as smooth and blemish-free as a baby’s!

The reaction of those ten men to this supernatural wonder? They stampede back to Jesus? Hardly. One, only one, stops in his tracks and heads back to Jesus. He’s the only one to go out of his way to thank the Lord. The only one who bothers to take some time out of his busy schedule to offer thanks. The only one–‘Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving thanks’ (v. 15-16). At least one showed gratitude. But only one? That’s it? Why is that so hard?

I wonder how many Christians spend much time thanking Jesus for all He’s done and is doing for them? Or do we only pray, asking for things for ourselves and some others, time and weather permitting? I’ve known some to ask God to increase the value of their stock portfolios! No, not me. I remember asking a church prayer group to solely offer thanks to God for the first part of our weekly meeting. Praise and thanks exclusively to our God. Well, guess what? That lasted about thirty seconds. Why is that so hard?

Why? To thank God? He deserves it, doesn’t He? We should be more responsive and grateful, shouldn’t we? I’m looking in the mirror now. I’m no better than anyone else. But honestly, I don’t want to stay that way. Effort is called for. A determination to be more open with my thanks. Not in a forced way, though it may feel that way at first. Or rote, when the same old praise words get used, nauseatingly, over and over again. And certainly not hoping that my thank-yous will lead the Almighty to give in on things I’ve asked for that haven’t shown up yet. Twist His arm by buttering Him up. ‘Leave It to Beaver’s’ Eddie Haskell of prayer time!

But be spontaneous, fresh, and alert, and, of course, thankful for many good reasons. Let Him know how much you appreciate and love Him. That without Him, your life would be dull, drab, and doomed. It isn’t, is it? Quite the contrary. And all because of Him. This week I’m going to thank Him more and more. Genuinely heartfelt. At least I hope to.

That won’t be too hard, will it?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all your love. A million times over, thank you! Amen.