Judges six tells about a time when the Israelites would go out, plant their crops, water them, and cultivate them. But when it came time to reap, an enemy would come and take their harvest. God raised up a man by the name of Gideon to do something about it. The problem was that Gideon was insecure and didn't think he could do anything great. As long as he felt inferior, he would never reach his destiny. God didn't say, "Gideon, too bad. I had something amazing in your future, but you have all these things holding you back. I can't use you." No, God never leaves us where we are. This is what the threshing floor is all about. God puts us in situations to separate us from what's limiting us.
God told Gideon, "I want you to lead the people and defeat this army." Gideon said, "God, how can I do that? I'm the least one in my father's house." It's significant where Gideon was when he said this. He was hiding in a threshing floor. He felt weak, inferior, less than. God answered him back and said, "Gideon, you are a mighty man of valor. You are well able to accomplish this assignment."
I can imagine while hiding there, something came all over him. He thought to himself, "You know what? I'm not weak; I'm not defeated; I'm a child of the most High God." Suddenly, fear left him. Intimidation was gone. That's because the threshing floor will separate what's limiting you. On the threshing floor, God will stir your gifts. You'll hear Him speaking faith and victory over your life. Gideon would have been satisfied to stay there hiding, just surviving. God said, "Gideon, this is not your destiny. You are not going to let the enemy steal your harvest the rest of your life. Rise up and go do something about it."
See, the threshing floor was never meant to be permanent. God is saying to us what He said to Gideon, "You've been on that threshing floor long enough. It's time to go get what belongs to you." That means shake off the disappointments; shake off low expectations; shake off what people told you that you can't do. People don't determine your destiny, God does. There is a great harvest in front of you. It has your name on it. Don't let the enemy keep taking what belongs to you. You are a mighty man of valor. You are a mighty woman of valor. Like Gideon, you have been equipped, empowered and anointed, and you are well able to accomplish your assignment!