Day 1: Hidden Potential in the Wine Press

Scripture:
Judges 6:11-12
"Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.'"

Cowboy Wisdom:
Every good trail boss knows that sometimes the best horses are the ones hiding in the back of the corral. They might look ordinary, even scared, but with the right touch and training, they become the steadiest mounts on the trail. God's got a way of seeing champion stock where others just see a scared horse.
When Gideon was threshing wheat in a wine press—essentially hiding from his enemies—God saw a "valiant warrior." That's like calling a cowpoke hiding behind the chuck wagon a "fearless rider." But God doesn't see what is; He sees what can be.

Fear has a way of making us hide in our own wine presses. Maybe it's fear of failure, fear of what others think, or fear that we're not cut out for what God's calling us to do. But just like that angel saw Gideon's potential, God sees yours too. He's not fooled by your hiding spot—He knows the warrior inside.

Questions for Reflection:
What "wine press" are you hiding in today? What fears are keeping you from stepping into your potential?

1. If God called you a "valiant warrior" right now, what would be your honest response?
2. Think of a time when someone saw potential in you that you couldn't see in yourself. How did that change you?

Prayer Focus:
Lord, just like You saw a warrior in Gideon when he was hiding and afraid, help me to see myself through Your eyes. Give me the courage to step out of my hiding places and trust that You see potential in me that I can't see in myself. Help me believe that You can use someone like me for Your purposes. Amen.