Take the Brake Off

Fear, discouragement, self-reliance, or uncertainty can act like an emergency brake, limiting our ability to move forward in life.

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”
(Judges 7:4)

While driving in Europe, I noticed my rental car felt sluggish. I had to press harder on the accelerator just to keep moving. Eventually I realized that I had been driving with the emergency brake engaged. There wasn’t an issue with the car—it was just being held back by the brake. That experience reminded me of how many people today are trying to move forward in life and faith while something is knowingly or unknowingly restraining them. Fear, discouragement, self-reliance, or uncertainty can act like an emergency brake, limiting our ability to move forward in life.

Gideon knew what that tension felt like. In Judges 7, he was unsure, overwhelmed, and facing impossible odds. But God met him in that uncertainty and did something surprising—He reduced the army again and again until victory would be humanly impossible. The result was clear that Israel would have no choice but to fully depend on God.

When we believe we can win in our own strength, we’re tempted to take the credit ourselves, but God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. When the odds are stacked against us, that’s when we learn to trust Him more deeply. If you feel weak today, don’t be discouraged as God may be positioning you for success.

Just when Gideon was at his weakest, God strengthened his faith by reminding him that He was already at work. Even while in the enemy’s camp, God used a dream to reassure Gideon that victory was certain. We often don’t realize how much God is doing behind the scenes while we’re waiting and wondering. When the enemy seems to occupy ground God has promised, our vision can grow cloudy, but God calls us to hold our position, stay obedient, and trust Him to accomplish what we can’t do in our own strength.

Bold Step Challenge:
Ask God to reveal what may be holding you back and take one faith-filled step this week to release it.

Prayer:
Lord, show me where I’ve been relying on my own strength or allowing fear to slow me down. I trust You with my weakness, my calling, and my future. Help me stand firm where You’ve placed me and move forward in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Listen to the sermon: What’s Holding Me Back?

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

One hundred and eighty-nine years ago, D. L. Moody was born into hardship, not privilege. His father died young, leaving his mother Betsey to raise nine children in deep poverty. School was short, reading was hard, and by today’s standards he might have been labeled “at risk.” But at eighteen, God took hold of his heart.

Moody would preach to millions and help build ministries that live on today, all rooted in a simple truth: God values availability over ability. I’m eternally grateful that we serve a God who delights in using ordinary, surrendered lives to do His work. May we never underestimate what He can do with a yielded heart.