Calendar

GIDEON (V)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24
Judges 6:33-40

Psalm 103:8-14

 

“…blessed are they
that have not seen,

and yet have believed.”

 

GIDEON (V)
 
The fourth lesson we find in God’s dealing with Gideon in relation to his call is the necessity of trust. In the conversation with the Angel of the LORD, Gideon was clearly conscious of his inability and weakness. His complaint also showed his immaturity in faith. He was able to remember the accounts of God’s miraculous work, but he could not associate it with their responsibility to be faithful and true to God. Now that he had declared his allegiance to God, and the Midianites had gathered for their raids, the time had come to take a stand and accomplish his call. God’s spirit stirred up Gideon and he took the initiative. He called and gathered the children of Israel in preparation for war.
 
“And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said” (Judg 6:36). The service of God requires preparation, but it is not solely dependent on our preparation as men. We walk by faith and not by sight and whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Gideon sought God’s guidance for the task ahead. But his prayer for guidance also revealed his weak faith and rising doubt. People had responded to his call, they had come prepared for battle. They had cried by reason of the oppression, and now that there was opportunity to do something about it, they availed themselves. But Gideon, the man who had called them, the one who was chosen by God, had a fit of doubt. He went to God with his doubt and God patiently accommodated him. Many have looked at Gideon’s fleece not as a sign of doubt and wavering trust, but rather as a sign of faith, and have encouraged many to “put a fleece” before God. Yet, Gideon had come back to God who had revealed Himself and confirmed that it was the LORD who talked to him (Judg 6:16-21), and Gideon knew that it was the LORD (Judg 6:22). That encounter had led him to declare allegiance by breaking down the altar of Baal. But now, at the sight of the Midianites, he doubted and asked for a sign. God’s patience with him, giving him the signs he desired shows the necessity of trust in the service of God and the fulfilling of the call.
 
THOUGHT: The Christian draws his joy from the unseen, not the seen.

PRAYER: “…Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief ” (Mark 9:24).

Search