Author: Don Guthrie

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?

Re:Verse reading–Judges 6:1-2, 11-28, 36-40 (day seven)

“The sons of Israel made for themselves dens in the mountains and caves and strongholds.”–v 2.

NOT what God had in mind for His people!  Playing defense.  Off balance.  Anxious and afraid, struggling to just “get by”.  A losing season.  Several in a row, actually.

The explanation lay in their relationship with God.  They were unaware, probably.  (We all have remarkable skills in rationalizing our actions and their consequences.)  Painful to hear and absorb the prophet’s words in v 10.  “You have not OBEYED me.”   YOU have not obeyed me.  You have not obeyed ME.

Hard for us to hear it, too.  We blame our circumstances on fate or God or the choices of others.  But it isn’t true.  Ever!  When we are without power, weak and defeated, grumbling and dissatisfied, it is because we have wandered from God.

The only way to be “more than a conqueror” is repentance and restoration to God.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 6:1-2, 11-28, 36-40 (day one) 

“The angel of the Lord . . .said, ‘The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior‘ “–v 12

There are surprises ahead for people who know God.  Many. Follow God and you will certainly make these discoveries for yourself.

Discovery 1–He knows me.  Knows who I am.  My family.  My history.  My situation.

Discovery 2–He loves me.  Largest mystery of all.  See # 1.

Discovery 3–He has a new name for me.  Knows me by my true name, my God-given identity.

Remember Simon?  Jesus meets him and says, “You are Simon the son of John, you shall be called Peter (rock)”–John 1:42.

Remember the Revelation promise?  “I will give him a white stone, a new name written on it.”–Revelation 2:17.

This week we read the story of Gideon.  Surprise!  The angel doesn’t call him Gideon. He calls him “Valiant warrior” v 13.

Wow!  I wonder what God’s name for me is.  I wonder what His name for you is.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 4:1-22 (day seven)

“Deborah said to Barak, ‘Arise! for. . .the Lord has gone out before you.’ “–v 14.

REST is part of God’s economy.  “Be still and know that I am God”–Psalm 46:10. ACTIVITY is also part.

“Get up!” said Deborah to Barak on that history-shaping day.  “Rest is not what you need. Not now.  Get up! God is moving, you should too!”

Mirrors her personal experience.  In Chapter 5, Deborah says that things were bad in Israel, “Until I, Deborah arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.”–v 7. History proves this point.  Nothing gets better until someone, in surrendered cooperation with God, stands up to do something about it.

As a Pastor and Leader, one thing I often hear from the Spirit is “Get up, Don!  There are tasks to do, people to reach and truths to speak.”

Couch-sitting, ease-seeking, responsibility-dodging believers never change the world.  We have been “created in Christ Jesus for good works”–Ephesians 2:10.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 4:1-22 (day one) 

“She used to sit under a palm tree. . .between Ramah and Bethel. . .and the sons of Israel would came too her for judgement.”–v 5.

A judge in ancient Israel was not what we normally imagine.   No black robe.  No gavel.  No bailiff or jury.  A judge was less title, more function.  In a world without established court systems, people often turned to mediators who had a reputation for fairness and godly wisdom.  They were “judges” because they established “justice” between opposing parties.  See Exodus 18 for the weary task that judging was for Moses.

In 1195 BC, a woman of extraordinary gifts was serving in this capacity.  She was a prophetess –v 1.  And when it was necessary to establish justice between nations and not just individuals, God called Deborah.

Male or female, doesn’t matter,  speak for God and be blessed! “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons (and daughters) of God.”–Matthew 5:9.

Re:Verse reading–Judges 2:1-3, 6-22 (day seven)

“They did not listen to their judges. . .when the judge died, they would turn back”–v 17, 19.

Leaders are part of God’s equation for blessing.  They lead-we follow.  They speak-we listen, umm. . .well, not always.  Sometimes, people DO what a leader says without BECOMING like him. They cooperate with the external requirement (temporarily) but never hear or internalize the deeper message.

Hearing is the highest compliment we give a leader.  We listen to His heart and share it. It is also the highest good that a leader gives to his people. One day, Peter was busy and noisy with his words and his agenda.  The Father gave him good advice.  “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him!” Mark 9:7.

As you pray this morning, will you stop (talking) and listen to the Lord and His life?  Is there a deeper message that you have not been hearing?  He is leading.  Are you listening?

Re:Verse reading–Judges 2:1-3, 6-22 (day one)

“Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you, but they will become as thorns in your sides.”–v 3.

It is a familiar expression.  An idiom.  You have certainly heard and probably said it.  Commonly points to a source of frustration or irritation.

Most people forget that it comes from the Bible– a word of warning from God.

He called Israel to obey. Promised His help.  Make no covenant with this world!  Be uniquely and profoundly Mine.  Only Mine!  All Mine!  When they disobeyed, He removed His power and protection from their lives.  No longer did they have power to defeat the world, instead, the world became a source of irritation and frustration to them.

Know anyone who is currently defeated and distracted by the world?  Often it comes, just as God promised it would, to believers who have never surrendered to obey Him in all that He commands.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 23; Joshua 24:14-15(day seven)

It surprise me.  Moses chose a successor.  Joshua didn’t.  Wonder why?

He seems to have believed that Israel would stay united and prosperous as a loose confederation of tribes.  So, after his last national address, Joshua “dismissed each to his inheritance”–24:28.

It did not go well.  So long as the elders who survived Joshua lived and provided leadership, the nation served God.  See 24:31.  When they died, however, the nation began to drift.  Badly.  Written over the book of Judges is the epitaph, “There was no King in Israel, everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”–Judges 21:25.

To flourish, nations and families and churches and schools and businesses need leadership and every leader has the responsibility to identify and equip the next people who will provide it.  “And the things you have heard from me. . .entrust to faithful men who will teach others also.”–2 Timothy 2:2.

Makes me wonder what Joshua was thinking.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 23; Joshua 24:14-15 (day one)

“Be strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses”–23:6

Joshua is an old man by this time.  Some scholars say he is 110 years old!  Long history with these people.  He knew their fathers and grandfathers.  The Exodus and the wilderness years.  Years of conquest.  He has seen it all.

As they begin to “get settled” in a new home, Joshua has some last words for them.  Not NEW words.  In fact, in his last address Joshua essentially tells them what God told him 30 years before. (Compare 23:6 with 1:6-7)

Pay attention to God’s word!  Don’t alter it or water it down!  Stay true!  As you do, God will continue to provide His powerful help.

It is our message too, and, I believe, the reason FBCSA exists.  “God blesses those who approach Him through His word”.  Courage required.  Blessing promised.  Some things change.  This never does.

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 9 (day seven)

“So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask the counsel of the Lord.”–v 14.

It was a lesson learned for Joshua.  Painful.  Embarrassing.  Valuable.  Before you make a decision, ask God for His counsel!

Other heroes eventually reach the same conviction and practice.  “David inquired of the Lord.”–1 Samuel 30:8.  Also 2 Samuel 5:19.

Same with our Savior.  Jesus never made a decision without spending time alone with the Father.  Seeking counsel.  Surrendering His own desires and perspective.

Us?  The jury is still out, I think.  It is hard to find time for prayer.  Being still is a demanding task.  Waiting, discerning the right question, facing honestly whether we are willing to hear and obey–tough assignments all.  So, and this is my fear, sometimes we SAY we will pray more than we actually DO. New Pastor. . .nation. . .guidance.  What would God say, if we asked HIM for counsel?