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A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know the man!”
—Luke 22:56-57
Peter denied his identity when confronted about being a disciple of Christ. Jesus, on the other hand, boldly stood and declared His identity to the Sanhedrin: “You are right in saying that I am [the Son of God]” (Luke 22:70). Gideon went through the process of learning boldness in his identity with God. “The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!’ ” (Judges 6:12). Just three verses later, Gideon replied, “But Lord . . . how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (v. 15). Gideon’s natural inclination was to hide in the winepress, but his spiritual identity was that of a deliverer. After the test with the fleeces, he began to believe the report of the angel about himself. Gradually, Gideon realized that when God was with him, he could accomplish the impossible. Stop looking at your old identity of weakness and fear. Believe that God has called and equipped you to win your battles. Fear and timidity are just weapons the enemy uses to intimidate you. Boldly confess to the world, to the devil, and to yourself: “I am who He says I am!”
Suggested Reading:
Judges 6:1-40
Luke 22:54-23:12
Psalm 95:1-96:13
Proverbs 14:5-6