We find the story of Gideon in the Old Testament book of Judges, which follows the conquest and settling of the Promised Land by the tribes of Israel.  During the period of the Judges, a familiar cycle is often repeated. 

• The Israelites would turn away from the Lord and do evil in His sight.
• God would allow His people to be oppressed by neighboring tribes.
• In their suffering, the Israelites would cry out to the Lord for help.
• God would raise up a leader (judge) to deliver them from oppression.

Gideon was a man from the tribe of Manasseh whom the Lord chose to deliver His people from the Midianites.

• God calls us to an honest assessment of the challenges we face. (v.8-10)
• God calls us based not on who we are, but on who we can be. (v. 12)
• God calls us to depend upon His strength, not our own. (v.14-16)
• God calls us to be faithful in small things before giving bigger assignments. (v.25-26)