Faith Deficiency

This past year has been laced with unexpected, challenging situations that have made many feel out of control and defeated. From cancellations galore to social-life mayhem; from battling the quarantines to losing loved ones. The past year has been extremely difficult for some and even downright depressing for others. In my return to somewhat normal, I have found myself struggling to make the space for daily, in-depth, uninterrupted time with the Lord. As this has occurred, I’ve noticed a waning in my peace, my joy, my patience, and even in my faith.

Surplus or Deficiency?

Last week, one of my devotions was titled “Is Jesus Testing You?”. It was based on the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 men (plus women and children). Jesus asked Phillip where they should buy bread so the people could eat. In John 6:6, Scripture tells us that Jesus only asked Phillip this question to test him. Jesus already knew how he was going to feed everyone. Scripture goes on to tell us that Phillip responded by saying it would take over half a year’s pay to feed everyone just one bite. You may know the rest of the story. Jesus used five small loaves of bread and two small fish, miraculously multiplied it to feed everyone, and still had 12 baskets of food leftover after everyone had eaten.

Phillip failed the test. He didn’t believe that Jesus would provide. How often do we fail the test? Do any of you feel like you’re going through a difficult circumstance right now? Maybe you had a timeline for something in your plans that isn't quite working out the way you had planned. Or maybe there’s too much month and not enough money. Anyone ever experienced not getting the job you wanted, or the house, or the car, or the ___________ (you fill in the blank)? When things don’t go your way, what happens? Do you have a faith surplus or a faith deficiency?

Rick Renner, the author of the devotion I was reading, terms Phillip’s response as a faith deficiency. Ever since I read about this, I’ve been thinking about how I have been responding to recent occurrences in my life that haven’t fit into my perfect plan. I’m here to tell you that I’m no better than Phillip. My mind has been consumed with questions of if, when, how, when, why, when, and a little more when.

Mighty Warrior

One of my favorite illustrations of God’s power and provision is found in Judges chapters 6 and 7. After seven years of oppression from the Midianites, the Israelites finally threw in the towel (once again) and cried out to God for help. This help came in the form of a man named Gideon. From what I can tell, he was an average Joe kinda’ guy. I haven’t read anything about him that says he was rich, or incredibly intelligent, or famous. In fact, when the Angel of the Lord appeared to call him up, Gideon was threshing wheat into a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. He was also in the middle of a pity party- doubting the Lord and whining about having the weakest army and being the least in his family.

The first detail that strikes me in the story is that the Angel’s first words to Gideon in Judges 6:12 are, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” It’s evident that Gideon did not feel like a mighty warrior. Gideon even responded with doubting complaints. But the Lord answered in vs. 14, “Go in the strength you have (emphasis mine) and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” If the Lord was a professional eye-roller like some of our teenage daughters, that would’ve been the perfect cue for a tickle-the-brain eye roll.

Ignorant Israelites

I love the implications of this passage. God referred to the strength Gideon already had. Not the strength He was going to give him. And then he reminded Gideon that He called him so He was also going to equip him. The rest of the story is even more impressive. Because God knew the Israelites would boast of their own strength if they went to battle with their army of 32,000, he leads Gideon to decrease his army to 300 soldiers. How would you feel if you were Gideon and God was leading you and your army of 300 into battle against 135,000 Midianites? Cue the panic button. But wait! God then told Gideon in verse 16, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

Gideon had to work through some things with the Lord before he was fully on board because he experienced what Renner calls faith deficiency. He was met with a challenge, and his faith plummeted. He could not believe his army would be victorious. It took some convincing, but Gideon finally got on board with the Lord's plan and he and his army sure did claim victory in the end in the most unusual way. (Check out Gideon’s story in Judges 6 and 7.)

As I read in the Old Testament, I find myself getting so frustrated with the Israelites. God rescues them, they worship Him, they take their eyes off Him, they doubt Him, they get into a hot mess, they cry out to Him and the cycle begins again. I always think to myself, “How can a group of people who have seen so many miracles, been so blessed by God, and experienced Him in such an intimate way treat Him so badly and have such little faith?" Ignorant Israelites!!! Then I realize I’m describing myself. I waste so many brain cells trying to figure out the plan, the timeline, the solution, and everything in between- instead of just simply having faith. He knows the answers to all those questions and that’s all that really matters.

Mindsets and Surpluses

What would happen if we started operating under the mindset of a mighty warrior? Oxford Languages (oed.com) defines the word warrior as, “a brave or experienced soldier or fighter.” Imagine the confidence that comes with that mindset. What if we walked into difficult, unexpected situations with a mighty warrior’s confidence and a surplus of faith in the Lord’s provision. It would change our landscape, our perspective, our approach, and our focus. Please know that I’ve not completely figured this out yet, but I’m working on the shift. I recognize that I frequently experience a faith deficiency and an Israelite's approach. I want to live the life of a mighty warrior with unwavering confidence in the strength I already have in the Lord. Let’s challenge ourselves to train our minds as the mighty warriors God has called us and equipped us to be. I leave you with this prayer Rick Renner closed his devotion with:

“Lord, I want to thank You for allowing me to be a part of Your great plans. You could use someone else, but You have chosen to use me. For this, I am so thankful to You. If there is any faith deficiency in me, please expose it NOW so I can get it fixed and be prepared for any assignment You give me in the future! I pray this in Jesus’ name!”

Press on in strength! “The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior!