Judges 6:22-23 Now Gideon perceived that he was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.” Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”

Up until this point Gideon did not realize the truth of who he was talking to. Then, like a snap of the fingers it hit him. This is God I am speaking to! The rubber has hit the road, and Gideon knows the significance of the circumstance he has found himself. He understands that no one can live in the presence of the Almighty. He is a sinner just like us. He doubts just like us. Now he thinks his life is fixing to come to an end.

Gideon still does not understand that he is going to be used to save his nation. The Lord then reassures him and tells him, “Peace be with you.” This is so comforting to me. In the mist of Gideon realizing that he deserves the fate in which he has read about, Jesus tells him to relax, he will be fine. Gideon is like us. When we stand in the presence of the Lord one day, we will truly know how sinful and unworthy we are. But Jesus is so full of love and mercy.

We should think like Gideon, knowing that we are so unworthy and deserve death for our sin. But Jesus, if we have accepted Him as Lord and Savior, will tell us, “Do not fear, you will not die.” His sacrifice has guaranteed our eternity if our trust is in Him. But the true fear will be upon those who rejected Him. Friend, what about you? Can you say you have trusted Jesus with all of you?