LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil

Tuesday 7th July 2026

YOU ARE ABLE

Scripture Reading: Judges 6:11-18

So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” *Judges 6:15–16

God called Gideon to deliver Israel from Midianite rule. The Midianites were distant relations of Israel. Under their rule, they plundered the farms of Israel and seized the crops of the farmers. To hide the wheat and himself from the oppressive Midianites, Gideon was actually threshing the wheat in a winepress that was hidden or sheltered out of sight. That was when God called him.

Gideon gave two excuses:

- My clan is the weakest.

 The tribe of Manasseh was a half tribe. They shared their inheritance with Ephraim. Ephraim and Manasseh were Joseph's sons and he divided his inheritance amongst them. As such, Manasseh was not a major tribe in Israel. Even in a small tribe like Manasseh, Gideon considered his clan as the weakest.

- I am the least.

From a small tribe of Manasseh, and on to a weak clan, Gideon now focused on his father's house. In his father's house, he was the least probably meaning he was the last son.

Gideon did not realise that when God calls, our social position is of no consequence. The only effective factor is God's enablement through the Power of His Holy Spirit.

How did the Lord respond to Gideon?

- His presence:

“I will be with you.” God's presence is superior to the challenges we face as well as our sense of inadequacy. The Lord assured Gideon that He would be involved in the life of Gideon. What an assurance to know that the Lord is with us in every battle.

- His power:

 “You shall defeat the Midianites.” The Lord told Gideon that His power would give him victory.

Like Gideon, we can be assured that no matter how insignificant our background, the Lord can and will use us to do great things.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, your presence and power make all the difference in my life. Use me for your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen