Gideon's Journey from Fear to Courage

GIDEON AND THE FLEECE — Judges 6–7 Israel had been suffering for years under the Midianites,

who swept through the land and took everything they wanted—grain, animals,

and food. People hid in caves and mountains, afraid of losing what little they

had. In the middle of this fear lived a young man named Gideon.

One day, he was hiding inside a deep stone winepress, trying to quietly thresh enough wheat

for his family. He kept checking over his shoulder, hoping the raiders wouldn’t find him.

As Gideon worked, a peaceful visitor appeared under a nearby tree and said,

“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Gideon was startled. He looked around,