"What A Mess: Gideon” | Rev. Vicki Harrison
If you've ever stood in the middle of a mess and thought, “Where do I even begin?”—you’re not alone. Week 2 of our What a Mess series takes us into the chaotic world of the Judges and the unlikely leadership of Gideon.
From Chaos to Calling
Pastor Vicki began with a relatable visual: a messy teenager’s room. It’s overwhelming, disorienting, and just like the time of the Judges—where “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” That kind of self-reliance never ends well.
“Our inner compass fails us. We need direction—specifically, God’s direction.”
When we meet Gideon in Judges 6, he’s hiding in a winepress. Not exactly a mighty warrior, right? But that’s where God shows up.
A Hesitant Hero
Gideon is fearful, skeptical, and full of excuses:
“How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest…and I am the least in my family.”
Yet God says, “Go in the strength you have.” Not someone else’s strength. Not future-you. You, right now. That’s powerful.
Even then, Gideon asks for signs—again and again.
“Maybe Gideon was slightly OCD,” Pastor Vicki joked, “but God is patient with him.”
This story reminds us that God doesn’t demand perfect faith. He simply asks us to keep showing up.
Rev. Vicki shares how God works through our weakness in her message on Gideon from Judges 6–7.
Down to 300
From 32,000 men… to 10,000… to just 300.
“God wanted to ensure that in no way at all could the Israelites think this was their victory.”
We often think we need to be more—stronger, braver, smarter. But God uses less to do more.
“God isn’t just an odds defier—He’s an odds smasher.”
Trumpets Over Weapons
The turning point? Trumpets. Not swords.
“Gideon didn’t question. He didn’t argue. He just obeyed.”
That’s faith in motion. Faith not in ourselves, but in God’s power through our weakness.
So, What About You?
“What’s going on in your life? How is God asking you to trust Him, to have faith?”
You may be trying to fix it your way. But what if God’s asking you to surrender, step back, and watch Him move?
Faith doesn’t have to be big—it just has to be real.
Jesus said, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)
Listen to and subscribe to the audio-only podcast with your favorite podcasting app below.
Your giving is an act of worship. Your giving supports the mission and ministry of New Hope. We are changing lives, renewing the church, and transforming communities, here and abroad.
More Sermons in this Series
Other Sermons from Pastor Vicki
Even in the darkest parts of scripture, God is pointing us to Jesus. In this final message of What A Mess, Pastor Vicki reveals how the Book of Judges shows our need for a Savior—and how Jesus meets us in our brokenness. Watch or listen now.