Sometimes, we label ourselves. We might say, "Because of this, I'm just THAT."

Sometimes, other people label us. They might say, "Because of this, that person is THAT."

On the other hand, God labels us in a wonderful way. God will say:

ANGEL OF THE LORD: Gideon, the Lord is with you.

A few years after Judge Deborah died, the Bible tells us about a man named Gideon.

Gideon labeled himself in this way.

GIDEON: I am just a poor farmer.

His big brothers labeled Gideon in this way.

OLDER SIBLINGS: Gideon, you're not worth much because you are the youngest brother.

Many people from the other tribes of Israel labeled all of Gideon's tribe in this manner.

OTHER TRIBES: You are part of the weakest tribe of all the 12 Tribes of Israel.

But one day, an Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon. The angel sat down in the shade of a large tree and said:

ANGEL OF THE LORD: Gideon, you are a mighty hero.

GIDEON: Say what?!!! Me? A mighty hero? I'm just a poor farmer. I'm the youngest brother. I'm also part of the weakest tribe of all the 12 Tribes of Israel.

ANGEL OF THE LORD: Gideon, because the Lord is with you, that will make all the difference.

You may be wondering why the Midianites had spent the last 7 years causing trouble for the Israelites.

Sadly, the Israelites brought it on themselves because, after Judge Deborah died, they forgot all about God. Instead, they carved a bunch of statues and began worshiping them.

But finally, after seven long years of starvation and fear, the Israelites finally remembered God. They humbled themselves and called out to Him. Repeat after the CHANT LEADERS as they pray.

CHANT LEADER: Please God! (Group Repeats)

Save us from the Midianites. (Repeat)

So, first, God sent a Prophet. As a spokesperson for God, the Prophet told them:

Gideon thought about this for a minute. Then, Gideon said:

GIDEON: Now you're saying the Lord is with me??? How can you say that? The Lord used to do all kinds of miracles back when Moses was alive. Nowadays, we have to deal with those thousands of mean Midianites. They destroy and steal our crops and animals. They have made our lives absolutely miserable!

ANGEL OF THE LORD: Gideon, you ARE a mighty hero! The Lord has chosen you to rescue your people from the Midianites.

GIDEON: Me? Rescue Israel? I don't think so!

PROPHET: You are not supposed to worship carved images and call them gods. You are only supposed to be worshiping the one and only true God!

Next, God sent one of His angels to visit Gideon. For even though Gideon did not think very much of himself, God knew that Gideon was just the right sort of person to become the next hero of Israel.

But Gideon was scared. He said:

GIDEON: Lord, if you really mean that I am supposed to lead the Israelite army, please provide me proof. Tonight, I will lay a sheep-fleece rug on the ground. Early in the morning, if the rug is wet from dew but the ground is dry, I will agree to lead the Israelite army.

The next morning, the ground was dry, but the rug was soaking wet.

Gideon still felt scared. He said:

GIDEON: Lord, please don't be mad. I need one more sign of proof. I will lay out that rug again. In the morning, let the dew fully wet the ground, but keep the sheep-fleece rug completely dry.

The next morning when Gidion got up, he saw that the ground was wet, but the rug was dry. Feeling more confident, Gideon said:

GIDEON: Okay, Lord. I agree. I will lead the Israelite army to victory against the enormous Midianite army. I will even destroy two of my tribe's idol statues.