An Article By: M.L. Milligan

The entire Bible is full of stories of ordinary men and women, the young and the underdogs, whom God used in magnificent and glorious ways. Esther was used to save her people (Esther 4:14). Saul was called from a life of persecuting christians to becoming persecuted for Christ’s sake. (Acts 9) 

But among these men and women are several men that have stood out to me as I read through God’s Word. God calls them “Men of Valour.” What a title, right?

But what is valor? Allow me to consult the good ole’ Webster dictionary:

Valor 

n. Courage, bravery

Men of courage. 

Men of bravery. 

That’s who these men of valor were. Men that God Himself called brave and courageous.

One such man was named Gideon.

Gideon was from a poor family, himself being the least of his house–which he pointed out to God’s angel when he paid him a visit while Gideon was keeping busy threshing wheat while hiding from the Midianites. The first thing the angel said to Gideon was “The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.” (Judges 6:13 KJV). 

Now how would you feel, caught hiding from the enemy by an angel of God, and the first thing he calls you is a “mighty man of valour”?

I’m not sure what you would do, but I would probably be thinking something along the lines of “Uh, Lord, not to be disrespectful or anything, but me? Are You sure You don’t have the wrong guy?”

But apparently Gideon had other things on his mind. He immediately asks the Lord why He would allow the Midianites to beat them.

My guess is Gideon was not expecting the answer he got. “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites.” (Judges 6:14 KJV)

After reminding God of the lowly life he led, he then asked for a sign: the infamous wet, not wet, dry, not dry fleece.

By then, Gideon was convinced the Lord had chosen him. So, he gathered up with plenty of men and went out as the Lord commanded.

Except God wasn’t done with His instructions. Twice, God told him to slim down his army, till only three hundred out of the thousands of men he’d originally brought along were left.

Then, armed with trumpets and pitchers, they initiated the Lord’s battle plans. They blew their trumpets and broke their pitchers, crying “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!” 

And what happened? The entire Midianite camp woke up in a frenzy and high-tailed it out of there.

Now that took some valor.

Was Gideon scared? Most likely. Did he doubt that he was the right man for the job? Absolutely! But did he still display the valor that the angel of the Lord claimed he had the whole time?

Yes.

Just because we’re scared or doubtful doesn’t mean we don’t have an ounce of courage in our bones. Courage is being scared to death, and going out and doing it anyway! It’s having faith and trusting God know exactly who He’s calling when you are told to do something you are doubtful you’re capable of.

That is being a man (or woman) of valor.

The next time you’re called to do something seemingly impossible, will you choose to believe there’s valor  in you to accomplish it?

Meet the Writer

A bookworm at heart and a desert girl by choice, M. L. Milligan is a lifelong horse lover with a passion for Jesus, rainy days, and long chats with her characters. She’s always up for a bowl of popcorn and a movie, or a long trek through uncharted territory, provided someone supplies the coffee. She makes her home in the Sagebrush state with a small gaggle of hens, an array of dogs and a cat, all proudly rescues.