God had instructed Gideon to tear down his father’s false idols…and Gideon had obeyed, in a fashion. Instead of doing it in broad daylight though, he did it under cover of darkness, …all because of fear. He was afraid of what others would think. Fearful of retaliation, Gideon wanted to obey God, but also wanted to please people. It’s impossible to be a people pleaser and obey God at the same time…for you end up compromising yourself and your integrity.
Tag: gideon
Judges 6:12 ” When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘ The Lord is with you mighty warrior.’ “
On hearing himself called a powerful and brave warrior, Gideon responded as most of us would. In verse 15 he whimpered, ” But Lord, Gideon asked, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” But God saw past this scrawny young man filled with doubt…and instead spoke His vision into Gideon’s life. And so it happens when God speaks His vision into your life…you will take on and become that vision, through His work in you.
Judges 6:14 ” The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of the Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’ “
The Lord had come to Gideon and addressed him as a mighty warrior…which Gideon disputed and started to reject, when God stopped him by saying…”Go in the might you have at this very moment…you need nothing more…in your weakness I will make you strong.” The Lord’s encouragement released vision in Gideon, who in turn encouraged his fellow Israelites, and a fresh vision was released in the entire nation, and subsequently they were able to defeat the Midians. You never know when a word of encouragement will release vision in someone’s life…when a kind word will suddenly allow a person to see themselves through their Savior’s eyes. Release vision in someone’s life today by speaking encouragement into them.
Judges 6:39 Then Gideon said to God, ‘Do not be angry with me. Let me make one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece.’ “
Putting out a “fleece”…maybe you’ve heard the term before. God wanted Gideon to lead the Israelites in defeating the Midianites…and even though the Lord had promised Gideon the victory several times, Gideon still needed tangible signs that this would happen. So this is where the fleece came in…lying on the threshing floor during the night with the dew either on it, or on the ground around it. The Lord used that fleece to build Gideon’s faith and encourage him to move forward into battle. Gideon was not testing God, but rather wanting confirmation of His promises. And now with total confidence in his God, Gideon marched out with his army to defeat the enemy.
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