Hey everybody
Leaving in the morning for Teen Camp. I thought I would share one more time before going. I will continue the story of Gideon out of Judges 6. Gideon wasn't afraid to question God, and God was very patient with Gideon. Altogether, God gives Gideon four signs that he is with him and that Gideon has no reason to fear.
The first of these signs comes when Gideon asks God to show him a sign that it was really God speaking to him. (6:17 - 23) Perhaps Gideon feared that this was some one else's voice speaking to him, just claiming to be God, or perhaps he was just afraid to do what God was telling him. but either way, Gideon wanted prof that this was coming from God. Perhaps we can be like this as well, when we question God's will in our lives. "How can this really be your will God?" I've said it, have you?
Any way, Gideon prepares meat and bread and sets it on a rock. The angel of the Lord touches it with his staff and flames shoot up out the rock and devour it all. As signs from God go, this one must have been very cool to watch. So Gideon gets his proof.
Going on from there, God tells Gideon to go break down his father's alter to Baal, build a proper alter, then cut down the Asherah pole (which was made of wood) and use it for the fire for the offering. Now God has been reassuring Gideon that he is with him and that Gideon does not need to be afraid. However, Gideon is still afraid, so he goes at night and tears down the alter and pole. Notice that Gideon is fearful, but he is still obedient. He does what God tells him to, which is good, but he does it in the least risky way possible. God is telling Gideon that he is a warrior, but he does not look or feel like one yet.
Gideon's hometown is very angry and want to kill him, but God manages to work it out for Gideon that there are no repurcussions. Plus, he gets a cool nickname out of the deal.
Are we like Gideon, , fearful, trying to be disciples with easiest way possible. Well, if that is case, then, also like Gideon that is a warrior inside there trying to break out. Fearful or not, Gideon was obedient. let's do the same, and allow God to stretch our faith the way he ultimately stretches Gideon's.
The Lord is with you mighty warrior.
Tom
Friday, August 10, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Questioner
Hello everyone.
I'm gearing up for camp. I've got some thoughts to share with you before I go. I've been looking a Gideon, whose story is told in Judges 6, 7 and 8.
So here is the background on Gideon's story: The Israelites had turned away from God again and this time he handed them over to the Midianites. Now the Midianites were so oppressive that the Israelites were living in the mountains and hiding in caves. (Judges 6:1-6) The Midianites would show and destroy everything the Israelites had.
OK. So Gideon is threshing wheat in a winepress when the angel of the Lord shows up. Gideon is hiding just like everybody else. Never-the-less, the angel greets him, "The Lord is with you mighty warrior." Interestingly, Gideon was not afraid to ask questions of the representative of God. The angel (and God, as well) listens to Gideon's question and is very patient with him.
Gideon's response to the angel was two questions (paraphrased). First, "if God is with us, why have all these bad things happened to us?" that "what has happened to the wondered our fathers have told us about?" Since I often ask similar questions, I will throw my own modern-day versions out there and see if anyone other than me identifies with Gideon here. I ask the first question like this: "Well God I am trying to please, why isn't life easier for me? Why do you allow these difficult things to happen?" The second question goes something like this: "Why does all the awesome stuff happen to somebody else? "When is it going to be my turn?"
I notice that God's response to Gideon's questions doesn't really seem to answer them, but in truth is does. Response to Gideon's questions: "Go on the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" The answer to my own questions is the same. It doesn't matter if I don't have all of those things I think I need. I am to work to accomplish God's will with whatever I have (good or bad) and allow God to make up the difference. This was God's plan.
Gideon responds to God in complete insecurity (Judges 6:15) basically saying, "Who am I?" You ever felt like that? I have? God's response was about the same. It really didn't matter who Gideon was, it mattered who God was. If Gideon would just allow himself to b used by God, the victory would be his. It is a valuable lesson. It really isn't about how strong I am, because God will make up the difference.
The story of Gideon has a lot of good lessons. More to come.
The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.
Tom
I'm gearing up for camp. I've got some thoughts to share with you before I go. I've been looking a Gideon, whose story is told in Judges 6, 7 and 8.
So here is the background on Gideon's story: The Israelites had turned away from God again and this time he handed them over to the Midianites. Now the Midianites were so oppressive that the Israelites were living in the mountains and hiding in caves. (Judges 6:1-6) The Midianites would show and destroy everything the Israelites had.
OK. So Gideon is threshing wheat in a winepress when the angel of the Lord shows up. Gideon is hiding just like everybody else. Never-the-less, the angel greets him, "The Lord is with you mighty warrior." Interestingly, Gideon was not afraid to ask questions of the representative of God. The angel (and God, as well) listens to Gideon's question and is very patient with him.
Gideon's response to the angel was two questions (paraphrased). First, "if God is with us, why have all these bad things happened to us?" that "what has happened to the wondered our fathers have told us about?" Since I often ask similar questions, I will throw my own modern-day versions out there and see if anyone other than me identifies with Gideon here. I ask the first question like this: "Well God I am trying to please, why isn't life easier for me? Why do you allow these difficult things to happen?" The second question goes something like this: "Why does all the awesome stuff happen to somebody else? "When is it going to be my turn?"
I notice that God's response to Gideon's questions doesn't really seem to answer them, but in truth is does. Response to Gideon's questions: "Go on the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" The answer to my own questions is the same. It doesn't matter if I don't have all of those things I think I need. I am to work to accomplish God's will with whatever I have (good or bad) and allow God to make up the difference. This was God's plan.
Gideon responds to God in complete insecurity (Judges 6:15) basically saying, "Who am I?" You ever felt like that? I have? God's response was about the same. It really didn't matter who Gideon was, it mattered who God was. If Gideon would just allow himself to b used by God, the victory would be his. It is a valuable lesson. It really isn't about how strong I am, because God will make up the difference.
The story of Gideon has a lot of good lessons. More to come.
The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.
Tom
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