Gaining New Perspective While A Helpless Prisoner Of Your Environment

Have you ever felt unworthy?  Like if there was anything good, it could never come to you. If you obtained it, you would be unworthy of it. In fact, your environment has really gotten to you. It’s what is making you feel unworthy, because you are ashamed to be in it. There is great news today friend, you are not your environment! It’s time to gain new perspective while a helpless prisoner of your environment.

Focus Scripture

11 The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6: 11-15 NIV

Background

The chapter begins with the children of Israel turning away from God and returning to their evil ways. Consequently, the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Midianites for seven years.

The Midianites oppressed Israel severely, leading them to live in dens, caves, and strongholds in the mountains. Israel’s prosperity turned to poverty, and they cried out to the Lord for help.

This is where we find Gideon from the tribe of Manasseh: poor, living in a cave, feeling worthless and weak. Miserably “threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.”

God was ready to raise Gideon up, to make him a hero to his nation, and to lead Israel against the Midianites and bring deliverance to the oppressed nation.

His Own Enemy

Because of what his family was going through, Gideon felt worthless. He was in the lowest tribe of Israel, he was impoverished and felt like he didn’t have skills or talents. Living in a cave, he was subject to hard dirty work -nothing worthy of God’s calling on his life. He was his own enemy. Are you your own enemy today?

God Has Chosen You

If you are a born-again Christian, your identity is in Christ, not yourself or your environment. God can use you. Just like Gideon, when he answered the call, became a great and mighty warrior, God has something for you to do, and no matter where you live, there’s not a limit on who you can be in Christ. Gideon saw all his imperfections, but God saw what he was.

Who are you, and where are you in your walk with Christ?

Remember regardless of what others see or even what you see in yourself, God sees you for who you are. He will help you do the impossible task that you think is impossible.

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 NIV

It goes further…

You are not your physical limitations!

If you suffer from any sort of handicap, God can still use you.

Moses felt ill equipped because he had a speech impediment even though he, “was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action…”  (Read Exodus 4:10, Acts 7:22 NIV). Yet God still used him, and he was a great prophet among John the Baptist.

A New Perspective

It doesn’t matter what our physical handicaps are. Or how we feel about ourselves. When God has a calling for you, He will empower you to do it.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29 NIV

For further Bible study, read Judges 6 and learn the entire story of Gideon and the tasks God had for him. Remember, you are NOT a product of your environment and you do NOT have to succumb to it!

Salvation Plan

Today, if you have not received Salvation or you would like to rededicate your life back to Christ, say this prayer:

God, I know that I am a sinner. Right now, Lord, I turn from my sins, and I ask you to forgive me. Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the grave, for me. I open my heart and life for You to come in, and I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You, God for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read the Book of John in the Bible. Find out who Christ is, and how He loves you, yes you!

Come back and read through our Live Inspired articles, and inspirational videos, to help you gain wisdom and insight into God’s Word. It is a guide to you as you read His Word, the Bible.

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We hope today’s message has blessed you! Testify how the Lord is working through your life in the comments.

Love,

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