I came across a most interesting passage this week in Judges 7:10 the Lord is speaking to Gideon about going into battle and he says, "But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant." Isn't it interesting how sensitive the Lord is to Gideon's fears. He doesn't chide him and say, "Man this is the Lord speaking, where is your faith, get down there and do what I said!" He doesn't embarrass him or make him feel guilty for not being more mature in his walk with God. He recognizes his fear and makes provision to give him more confidence. I had a professor in seminary, Dr. Parrott, who used to tell us that our job as pastors is to "Meet people where they are at and then take them where they need to go." I think this is exactly what the Lord is doing for Gideon. And yet, sometimes the followers of the Lord can be so much less sensitive to people's fears. I don't want to be the type of person who is so far ahead of people that I am yelling back, "come on you slow poke what's your problem?" Rather I want to be the type of person, like the Lord was for Gideon, who walks beside people on the way to where they need to go.