In a lot of ways, this passage is similar to the one of God’s call on Moses. In both cases, you have men who lacked any kind of self confidence, but God called and used them anyway.
In this case, the angel of God (most scholars believe this was actually Jesus in his preincarnate form) said something very interesting when he called Gideon. He said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12)
Gideon was far from being a mighty warrior. He was just a farmer. And he wasn’t exactly a strong and courageous man, brimming with confidence.
When God called him, he said, “I’m a nobody from a tribe of nobodies. How can I save Israel?” (15)
When he went to destroy the altar of Baal, he went at night because he was afraid of what his family and neighbors would think or do.
And even after he had started gathering people for the battle, he asked God not just once, but twice to confirm that God would be with him.
Yet through it all, God showed grace to him. He allowed Gideon his tests.
And when Gideon had fallen to the ground in fear after recognizing it was God he was talking to, God said, “Peace. Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” (23)
Gideon was a sinner. He should’ve died for seeing the face of God. But God not only spared him, but called him to his service.
Why? Because he saw what Gideon could be. He believed in Gideon.
And God believes in you. He sees what you can be, even when you can’t.
So don’t wallow around in self-pity, calling yourself a nobody. You’re somebody. Because God created you.
And not only did he create you, he created you for a purpose. To know him, and to serve in his kingdom. And no matter what you look like now, he sees what you can be.
All we have to do is be willing to say yes to him.
Will you?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 