No matter how bad things get in society God always finds a man or woman who’s ready to stand in the gap. The book of Judges illustrates this. When Israel’s situation got bad because of their sins God raised up a judge to turn things around and deliver them. Men like Othniel and Ehud and women like Deborah and Jael were used mightily by God. Gideon was another.
Note that though an earlier generation forgot God and what He had done, Gideon had at least some knowledge of God and His deeds. In Judges 6:11-12, he responds to the angel, “If God is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about?”
Ah ha! Here is a young man whose parents taught him about God and His great acts. His faith wasn’t strong. His perception of what God could do was limited. But he understood enough for his heart to respond to the challenge. When Gideon took his stand for God his neighbors wanted to kill him, but his father supported him. This emboldened him to free his people from their bondage. Young people will stand for God if they’re equipped, empowered and affirmed, especially by their fathers.
Gideon’s growth in faith is fascinating. At first he used a fleece to determine God’s will. Then he obeyed God by cutting the size of his army so God would get the glory when victory came. In victory he took time to worship God. No wonder God used him.
All of this started with his parents sharing with him truth about God and his mighty works.