October 16 – Good Can Come
Hebrews 13:20-21 – Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
Scripture Reading – Judges 6
This week’s Scripture is the call of Gideon, which he doesn’t exactly answer with enthusiasm. It has often been said that “God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called.” This is absolutely true, and our Hebrews passage says as much – God will “equip you with everything good that you may do his will.” However, it seems like Gideon’s abilities might not be the primary issue.
The angel of the LORD said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” (v 12) This is followed by a long list of doubts and excuses why Gideon thinks this is not so, including, “How can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am least in my father’s house.” (v. 15)
Scripture is full of examples of God calling those who the world considers incapable or unworthy of a task or position. Moses protested due to what he thought was a lack of ability and the people’s unwillingness to listen to him (Exodus 4:1-17). David’s father Jesse thought he was so unlikely to be chosen by God as king that he didn’t think to present David before Samuel (1 Samuel 16:10-13). Jesus himself was a shocking choice to be the Messiah, the servant sent to restore Israel. When he read from the scroll of Isaiah, he said the Scripture had been fulfilled in the people’s hearing it. (Luke 4:21) And their response was, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” (v. 22) In other words, he’s just an ordinary guy in a common carpenter’s family from Nazareth. We read of Jesus calling Philip to be one of his disciples in John 1. When Philip told Nathanael that Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph was the one of whom the prophets wrote about, Nathaniel responded, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46)
Our passage this week is a reminder that it is from God, and through him, that our calling, ability, and identity come. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead brought us into his eternal covenant. He equips us to do his will and that which is pleasing in his sight. This work is done through Jesus. We can confuse what we do with who, and whose, we are. But good can come from you because the One who has called you is good.
Further reading: Exodus 4:1-17; 1 Samuel 16:10-13; Luke 4:16-22; John 1:43-51
Reflection Questions:
1. Which is more adaptable – your abilities or your heart attributes?
2. Why do you think God chooses people who the world might consider unqualified to do his will?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your great faithfulness, even when I doubt myself and even doubt you. Lord, forgive me for my times of unbelief and losing sight of who I am in you. Every battle I face – literal, physical, spiritual, and mental – all belong to you. I don’t fight the battles of this life alone. You are mighty to save because you’ve already won the ultimate battle of defeating death. Thank you for calling me to yourself and giving me the assurance that you will equip me for everything good because you are so good. Amen.
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