February 6, 2026 Devo

I was at a conference some years ago where a speaker was talking about how we confuse confidence in ourselves and confidence in God. He said we often look at situations, and all we can think is, “I can’t!” And we’re right. But it doesn’t mean GOD can’t! What an incredible truth that is easy to lose sight of.
I thought of that talk when I read our verse for today. Isaiah is speaking words of hope and encouragement to the people by reminding them of the defeat of the Midian army. It’s a wonderful story that you need to read (or reread), found in Judges 6-7. The Midian army was oppressing the Israelite people. When the people cried out to God, He raised up Gideon to lead the Israelite soldiers into battle against them. Though the Midianites vastly outnumbered them, the Israelites destroyed them. But it wasn’t THEM; it was GOD. God’s promise to Gideon was the key to victory. When Gideon declared he was too small, too weak, and too incompetent to win, God said, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” And He DID! Isaiah is reminding the people that what God did for Gideon, He will do for them. He will also win the victory for US!
What’s holding you captive today? What is it that you’re facing, and you find yourself saying, “I can’t!”? It’s time to declare, “God can!” The key to your freedom is not believing more in who you are or what you can do. It’s believing more in who God is and what HE can do! God can give you the strength to get through what you think you can’t get through. That habit that you’ve had for years and just know you can’t break? You’re right, you can’t. But God can! There are no chains of addiction that God is not strong enough to break. That hard conversation you’re just too scared to have? Let God be your courage and watch what He can do! Maybe you’ve been feeling God nudging you to get involved in a ministry or step into a role, and you’re paralyzed by fear because you know you can’t do it. You’re right. You can’t. But God can! He’s not calling you because of who YOU are. He’s calling you because of who HE IS!
I want to encourage you to take whatever is making you feel weak, small, or defeated and lay it before the Lord. Take a moment to remember who God is and what He’s already done. Think about all the Midian victories you’ve seen God win before. Now declare in faith, “Lord, I can’t, but YOU can!” That’s God’s Word for you today.