1. GOD USES PROBLEMS 

Why do you think God uses problems? Problems are meant to create holy discontent. It is given to get our attention, or to wake us up. Many times, we don’t pause and reflect until we face big problems and start looking for God. See problems in the perspective of God! God uses problems to sanctify us and make better persons out of us. Judges 6:1-2 tells us that when the people started doing evil in the sight of the LORD, He gave them to the hands of the Midianites for seven years. God’s people were brutally treated, and it caused them to cry out to the Lord (v.6). 

What prevents us from calling out to the Lord? It’s our self-sufficiency. Even in the New Testament, we see this truth stated – in Hebrews 12:5-6, the author wrote about the discipline of the Lord, and that He does this for those whom He loves. When we have problems, we might think God does not love us anymore. But Hebrews 12:7-10 gives us the picture of the fatherly kind of love that involves discipline, securing the believers in a way that shows HE is involved, and He cares. Hebrews 12:11 tells us that discipline may not be pleasant; it can be painful, but it shall bear the “peaceful fruit of righteousness”! 

2. GOD SEES YOUR POTENTIAL 

God does not see you as you are now. He sees your potential in Christ! We must also see people that way – God can change people, and that’s what He did with Gideon. In Judges 6:12, God took the initiative and called Gideon a “valiant warrior” – despite Gideon being a coward and lived as a farmer – never been into any battle! Gideon was very sincere in his reply – asking God his questions, feeling abandoned by the Lord in their circumstances. God wanted to use Gideon, seeing him as having strength (v.14), but Gideon was so insecure and looked at his identity as being the “least” and the “youngest” (v.15). God assures Gideon in Judges 6:16 by letting him know His presence will be with him. Are we on God’s side when we face our battles? Or do we stand opposite Him in the things we are dealing with in life? 

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 puts it beautifully – God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise – for what purpose? That no man may boast before God! Do you realize the people God used? Noah got drunk, Jacob was a schemer, Peter denied Jesus, Paul was a persecutor – these people were changed and used by the Lord mightily! 

3. GOD TRAINS US PROGRESSIVELY 

People are trained for sports step by step progressively. It’s the same thing with God! That’s why Paul encourages in Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work” in us “will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”! It means God is going to complete His project in your life. God is very efficient – He will use you, but you have to do it step by step. Judges 6:25-26 shows us how God gave Gideon a mission to train Gideon into obeying God carefully step by step – and facing the risks in doing so. To be used by God, you’ve got to remove idols – get rid of the Baals in our lives! In the progressive training of God, He desires for us to get rid of idols. DM Lloyd Jones defines idols as “anything in our life that occupies the place that should be occupied by God alone. Our idols have morphed and changed today – from idols made with gold, silver, or wood, it is now money, relationship, self-centeredness and self-sufficiency. The secret to real happiness is HOLINESS. When you are set apart from God, happiness comes as a by-product. Elizabeth Elliot said that Christian life is a process of God breaking our idols one by one. Even ministry can become an idol. Let God work in our lives and allow Him to train us progressively. 

4. GOD WANTS US TO PARTNER WITH HIM 

Partnership with God would mean He is the BIG BOSS – it means you are committed to God’s WILL, God’s WAY, God’s TIME, and God’s POWER – and it would all lead to God’s VICTORY and GLORY. In Judges 6:34, the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, who mobilized an army to follow him. He was not going to do battle in his own strength, but in the Lord’s. In Judges 6:36-37, Gideon confirms multiple times God’s partnership with him. Gideon was not testing God; he wanted to ask for confirmation. He had to trust that God will see him through the task. In Judges 7:2 onwards, Gideon was able to raise an army, but God told him it was too many. 22,000 left because they were afraid, and Gideon was left with 10,000 men. But God still noted it was still too many! God didn’t want ISRAEL to become too proud and think their own power has saved them. Our part is to listen and obey! He reduced Gideon’s army to 300 men. That obedience led to a great victory for the Israelites. How did God transform people to become changemakers? He takes us into a process by which we will submit to His lordship and follow Him every step of the way!