Fasting Devotion 2026: Day 7

Fasting Devotional – Day Seven

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Title: Gideon Surrenders His Fear

Text: Judges 6-7

Written By: Brian Lambert

Thoughts:

Surrender often begins in the quiet places where fear, insecurity, and self-doubt hide. Judges 6–7 introduces us to Gideon not as a bold warrior, but as a fearful man threshing wheat in a winepress—hiding from the Midianites and trying to survive unnoticed. Yet in Gideon’s weakness, God speaks one of the most surprising declarations in Scripture: “The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor!” (Judg. 6:12).

Gideon didn’t feel mighty. He didn’t feel brave. He didn’t feel chosen. In fact, his response reveals deep insecurity: “My clan is the weakest… and I am the least in my father’s house” (Judg. 6:15). But surrender begins when we stop arguing with God’s calling and start trusting what He declares. God was not looking for Gideon’s confidence; He was inviting Gideon to surrender his fear. Before Gideon could face the enemy outside, God addressed the fear on the inside. Gideon obeyed God by tearing down his father’s altar to Baal, even though he did it at night because he was afraid (Judg. 6:27). His action reveals a powerful truth for us to hear: surrender doesn’t require the absence of fear, just obedience in the presence of it.

As the story unfolds, Gideon gathers an army of 32,000 men. Finally, it looks like he has enough strength to win. But then God does something unexpected. He tells Gideon, “You have too many men.” God reduces the army once… then again… until only 300 remain. Why? “Lest Israel boast against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me’” (Judg. 7:2).

Challenge:

Here is the heart of surrender: letting go of anything that gives us the illusion of control.

Gideon had to surrender not only his fear, but his sense of security. He had to trust that God’s power was greater than numbers, strategy, or strength. Victory would not come through human ability—it would come through divine dependence. With torches, jars, and trumpets, Gideon’s reduced army obeyed God’s strange instructions. And when they acted in faith, God did what only He could do. The enemy was thrown into confusion, and Israel was delivered—not because Gideon was strong, but because God was faithful.

As we enter this season of prayer and fasting in 2026, Gideon’s story asks us an honest question: What are we clinging to for security instead of fully trusting God? Fear, self-doubt, control, resources, approval—these are often the very things God asks us to surrender.

God still calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things—but only when they are willing to surrender all.

Prayer:

Lord, I surrender my fear, my insecurity, and my need for control. Strip away everything that keeps me from fully trusting You. I choose dependence over self-reliance. Use my weakness to display Your strength. Amen.