It was ten-year-old Cleos first time fishing, and as he looked into the container of bait he seemed hesitant to get started. Finally he said to my husband, Help me, I-S-O-W! When my husband asked him what the problem was, Cleo responded, I-S-O-W! Im scared of worms! His fear had made him unable to act.
Fear can paralyze grown men too. Gideon mustve been afraid when the angel of the Lord came to him as he was threshing wheat in secret, hiding from his Midianite enemies (Judg. 6:11). The angel told him he had been chosen by God to lead His people in battle (vv. 1214).
Gideons response? Pardon me, my lord, . . . but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family (v. 15). After being assured of the Lords presence, Gideon still seemed fearful and asked for signs that God would use him to save Israel as He promised (vv. 3640). And God responded to Gideons requests. The Israelites were successful in battle and then enjoyed peace for forty years.
We all have fears of various kindsfrom worms to wars. Gideons story teaches us that we can be confident of this: If God asks us to do something, Hell give us the strength and power to do it.