And Gideon said to Him,

"Please, Lord,

how can I save Israel?

Behold, my clan is

    the weakest in Manasseh,

and I am the least

    in my father's house."

And the LORD said to him,

   "But I will be with you."

               Judges 6. 15-16

(God chooses the

          most unlikely,

because they know

beyond a shadow of doubt

that it is the LORD's strength

      and not their own.   

"But I will be with you."

Not just a perk of obedience,

but His Presence

      changes everything,

the odds,

the outcome,

    and even our hearts.)

O LORD,

You are God.

You are sovereign.

You are our Creator.

You see us.

Please help us

          to see You,

          to seek You,

   to know You more,

              even in this.

Grant us Your courage

that always comes

     when we obey.

Courage does not mean

   an absence of fear,

but realizing

           Your Presence.