by Tom Moll

Following 40 years of peace the Israelites rebelled against God and he raised up the Moabites to humble them. They repented and cried out for help. God answered, raising up Ehud, the left-handed judge.

Empowered by God
Ehud easily could have been intimidated by the power and might of Moab. Instead he courageously got King Eglon alone, pulled out a sword tied to his right leg, announced that he had a message for him from God, and killed him. Ehud escaped and prepared the people for battle as the Moabites came to avenge the death of their king.

The Real Heroes
The people lifted up by our culture as heroes fall into categories such as athletes, musicians, astronauts, and movie and performance idols. They are admired for their strength, their gifts, their status, or their money.

Seldom lifted up are people like Ehud, who are willing to take risks for God and his people. Seldom lifted up are the people who recognize that God’s power shows up best in people who recognize they are weak but in that weakness allow God to be strong.

God’s Strength Displayed
This strength is displayed by church planters who go into areas where there are no churches, simply trusting in God’s power. It is displayed by missionaries who willingly go at great personal sacrifice where the gospel is not known. They step out depending on God’s strength to deliver his message to the culture that surrounds them.

This strength is displayed by Christians who refuse to compromise their values. A friend in Oklahoma had worked hard for a company for several years. He had moved up the ladder and was in line for a new position. He was passed over for someone with less experience and expertise because he refused to say things that were not true but which made the company look good.

Through the strength that came from his relationship with God, he found the courage to be honest. He did not draw a sword and kill the enemy. He just did what he knew was right. He is still one of my heroes.

Tom Moll is senior minister at Christ’s Church at Mason (Ohio), where his wife Kay is director of Women’s and Missions Ministries.