Week17/52

Week 17: My Daily Portion:

Monday: Judges 7-8, Psalms 112, 1Corinthians 1-2.
Tuesday: Judges 9, Psalms 113, 1Corinthians 3-4.
Wednesday: Judges 10-11, Psalms 114, 1Corinthians 5-6.
Thursday: Judges 12-13, Psalms 115, 1Corinthians 7.
Friday: Judges 14-15, Psalms 116, 1Corinthians 8-9.
Saturday: Judges 16-17, Psalms 117, 1Corinthians 10.
Sunday: Judges 18-19, Psalms 118, 1Corinthians 11.

Judges ch. 6 -7.
Judges 6:14
Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!

The story in Judges about the man named Gideon is so fascinating to me! There are so many things which could be highlited in his life. This time as I read about him I was drawn towards another great bit of information. God spoke to Gideon about how He was going to save the Israelites though Gideon. This was going to be his main mission, however, God didn't send him out to be a warrior against Israel enemies, the Midianites right away. Before Gideon was sent anywhere, he was sent to his own household. God told him to go and pull down his father's altar to Baal, and to cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it.

God was sending GIdeon to take care of some enemies which were of greater importance. These were the enemies of God and they were placed there by the Israelites themselves. In fact, it was because the Israelites were worshipping these strange gods that caused them to be under the oppression of the Midianites. God wanted first things first. It was as if God was saying, "Get rid of these enemies that are among your people and then you'll go out to fight for your people." Think of verse 14, "go...and rescue Israel from the Midianites." God's first plan to rescue Israel from the Midianites was to take out the Midianites influence from inside of their homes!

This wasn't easy for Gideon. He was afraid of his family and of the town people, so he went at night and did as God told him to do. Ha! Ha! Ha! Is this ringing true to any of you? It seems to be the way things are. God tells of some mighty plan He has for our lives, and then we are told we must first do something in our own back yard, so to speak. Perhaps it is our first test from God to see if we will be up for the task He has just called us to? I think it may be more difficult to pass this first test than to head out on the main mission.

I admire those who take care of business on the home front and see to it that they have gone all the way with God, got their lives in order where it matters most (at home), and then they are able to walk in a new authority because of it. You see, more than just a test, I believe what Gideon accomplished that night under the cloak of darkness, and shaking in his boots, was to walk right into the authority of being a sent one.

Gideons' strength and courage came in stages, as you will find as you read on. This first step was one of obedience even though very frightened by it. Soon after, the spirit of the Lord comes on Gideon and he made a call to arms to the people of Israel. After that, Gideon takes out a fleece and asks God for a sign so that he can remain confident in his call. The final boost to Gideons confidence came when he was told to listen in on a conversation among two Midianites and he heard how terrified they were of the Israelites and Gideon himself.

This also brings me encouragement as I read of how many times Gideon has to revisit the call of God. He reminds me of myself and many other friends I have. After we've addressed issues in our own lives, we need ongoing signs, dreams, and visitations from God to keep us moving towards the main mission.

I hope this story intrigues you and gets you thinking, as it has me once again. We may be frightened, unsure, or just needing a great dose of boldness from the Holy Spirit, but as Gideon did it, so can we.