Month: May 2016

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day three)

“Come,” they said, “be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.”  When God made man, he made something good.  That goodness rises up in the form of, among other things, resilience.  We tend to gauge a person’s ability based on circumstances: “Odds are,” we say, “he won’t rise to the task.”  But man is either resilient or he is not.  He has either been made by God or he has not.  When someone knows–and believes–that God has made him, he will indeed rise.  He looks not at his ending.  He looks at his origin.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day two) “Gilead’s wife bore him sons; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, ‘You shall not have an inheritance in our father’s house, for you are the son of another woman.'” vs. 2

“But the king of the sons of Ammon disregarded the message which Jephthah sent him.” vs. 28

Tragic story. Not at all a Disney version, and born out of rejection…twice. The first time by his half-brothers who were repulsed by his illicit beginnings. Even after he had grown and the Lord had placed in a place as a Judge of Israel  he was rejected by the Ammonite King. This, perhaps, was a catalyst for the hasty pledge made towards God to sacrifice “whatever comes out of the door of my house.” God did not make that pledge, Jephthah did. Do you let your past rejections fuel your decision making process? Where God has placed you, he will use you. Let your love for him guide your path, not your fear.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 11:1-6, 28-40 (day one)

“Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, ‘whatever comes out the door of my house to meet me. . .I will sacrifice to the Lord as a burnt offering.’ “–v 30.

The Bible speaks of our conscience.  The Greek word is syneidesis.  It  means “to know with yourself”.  Refers to those things that we know, don’t question.  What is true and right.  What is good and bad.  Things we sincerely believe.

Ordinarily, the conscience is a good guide.  “Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.”–1 Timothy 1:19

Sometimes, however (particularly when the inner mind has been shaped by culture rather than the word of God)  what we REALLY BELIEVE is not true.  An inaccurate picture of God’s character and will.

Jephthah is an example.  No one doubts his sincerity.  What we question (and should) is his view of God and what is pleasing to Him.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 7:2-8, 15-22 (day seven)

“I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped. . .let all the others go home.”  v 7.

Maybe you saw the movie “300”.  (I am not recommending that you do)  300 Spartan soldiers hold off a massive Persian army for days and by their sacrifice, inspire all Greece to unite against a common enemy.  Thermopylae.

The Bible story is similar and better.  300 Jewish soldiers–chosen by God based on two criteria 1) not afraid–v 3,  2) not controlled by personal needs but by the mission (a secret test administered by God and evidenced by how they drank water)–defeat the Midianite invaders and declare an eternal principle.  Numbers don’t count.  Spirit does!

“You shall defeat Midian as one man”, God promised Gideon in Judges 6:16.  Actually it took 300, but the truth is the same.  If God is with you, you are ALREADY IN THE MAJORITY!  “If God be for us. . .” it doesn’t take thousands.  A few will do.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 7:2-8, 15-22 (day five)

Judges 7:10- “But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant”.

It is such an encouragement to read and consider God’s patience with Gideon and his fear. The struggle in chapter 6 (v. 27) continues into chapter 7 (v. 10). Even though he has been given promises, signs, and has clearly been used by God, Gideon still has fear. Yet, God shows patience with Gideon and helps Gideon address his fear.

Maybe then, the goal of the life that belongs to God is NOT perfection, but rather direction. The direction being living “closer to God”. Growing in our faith and trust in God results in a closer relationship with God. We must be determined no matter what our weaknesses, fallibilities, and insecurities to continue to please and glorify God. Our courage and confidence are a direct byproduct of his kindness and patience.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 7:2-8, 15-22 (day four)

God had given Gideon instructions for the battle…He had promised to deliver the enemy into the hands of Gideon’s small army.  To reassure Gideon, God told him to take his servant and go observe the enemy’s camp.  When he did, Gideon had confirmation that God was doing what He had promised.  From a dream, one of the soldiers was foretelling Gideon’s coming victory.  Verse 15 says, “When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship.”

Gideon recognized that the God of the Universe was working in his life.  When he did, he worshipped!  When God works in our lives, how do we respond?  Have you ever had an answer to your prayer?  Has God protected you from impending danger?  Have you ever just looked around at God’s magnificent creation and recognized His hand at work?  How did you respond?  When God intersects our lives with His grace, it should cause us to worship.  Gideon got it right!

Re:Verse reading–Judges 7:2-8, 15-22 (day three) 

“Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”  Gideon’s ringing confidence came only after intense doubts and a profound mistrust of his own perception.  From the first stirring of God’s call to the moment he sounded the battle cry, Gideon had wrestled with uncertainty, confusion, skepticism, hesitation–every frame of mind that we normally associate with a person who walks away from potential greatness.  But such an association might in fact be faulty.  Uncertainty is not unbelief; confusion is not contempt; skepticism is not scorn; hesitation is not heresy.  Would that we all were so self-aware as to know that we are finite.  Gideon did not say to God, “You owe me more evidence.”  He said to God, “I’m not yet as strong as you can make me.”

Re:Verse reading–Judges 7:2-8, 15-22 (day two) 

“When they blew 300 trumpets, the Lord set the sword of one against another even throughout the whole army…” Vs. 22a

Never underestimate what God can do with a good brass band! Think about it, they brought down walls in Jericho, and caused an entire army to turn on each other in the story of Gideon. I am sure it wouldn’t surprise anyone if I would wax poetic about that musical power > military power, but let’s just consider how God continues to confound the wise with his unorthodox methods. How will the Lord demonstrate his power, love, and mercy in your life. Are you expecting a Damascus Road experience? Perhaps you are hoping that the Christians of the world will rise up and seize power from the corrupt leaders of our time. What if God chooses some unlikely set of circumstances to bring about his glory. Will you recognize the Lord, or dismiss it out of hand because it wasn’t what you have envisioned. We need to stop trying to outthink God, and let him use us in his infinitely creative ways. Personally, I’m hoping the next time he uses a choir.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 7:2-8, 15-22 (day one) 

“In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength saved her.”–v 2.

Sometimes it is not the victory that matters.  It’s the lesson!  God is no egomaniac, jealous for His own applause.  He is a wise ruler who knows that to the extent that we give credit to ourselves (or others) we drift from truth and protection and strength.  He wants us to praise Him because we are safe with Him.

When we boast it is “against God”–v 2.  An insult.  A slap.  No accomplishment is really ours.  He made us, gave us breath, skills, opportunity and friends.  Unspeakably ungrateful when we take credit without reference to Him!

“For who regards you as superior?  And what do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”–1 Corinthians 4:7.

Will you give credit to God today?