Victory by Faith, 03.24.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Moday March 24, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of Judges. Please read Judges 6 -- 7 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read about Israel forsaking God; the Midianites oppressing Israel for seven years; Israel praying for help; God sending Gideon, the prophet; and Gideon destroying the altar of Baal. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that God uses and takes care of all who have faith in Him to do His will.

Once more the Israelites were enslaved, this time by the Midianites, for seven long years the Israelites were worshiping Baal and consequently were suffering under the rule of the Midianites. "And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.....And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD." (Judges 6:1-2, 6). The answer to their prayers began with reproof (chastisement), there was no word of comfort, only reproof. The people were left with the consciousness of their sins and with no hope of relief. They needed to recognize that their miserable suffering was the direct result of disregarding the Word of God. Once they did this, God sent the prophet, Gideon to help.

Gideon questioned God's choice as he was deeply conscious of his poverty and in his own inability, "And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour....And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." (Judges 6:11-12,14-16). Gideon was truly a man of inexperience and uncertainty, but he unconditionally obeyed the Lord regardless of the opposition. We tend to think the only people God can use are those who are popular. But, God wil use anyone regardless of popularity to work for Him.

Gideon's readiness to obey the command of God was a great risk to himself, not only was there an outcry of vengeance from the city against him for destroying the altar of Baal and erecting an altar to God, he also faced opposition from his family. "And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites......Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night. And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built. And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it." (Judges 6:23-24,27-30).

In our hopeless hour when there seems no way out God is always with us and will guide us through every situation that we get ourselves into. As we respond in faith, God is able to increase our faith that we may recognize that God is in control of every detail of our lives. "Things" that happen to believers are not accidents but incidents to be used of God to develop our faith to fulfill His will. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (I Peter 4:12-13). While Gideon knew he faced much opposition his faith in God helped him achieved God's Will.

Today, it is reassuring to know that Jesus dwells in us and leads us to great things through difficulty. "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," (Ephesians 3:16-20).

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through the Sword of the LORD, "And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon." (Judges 7:20). We know that the sword is the Word of God, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" (Ephesians 6:17) and that Jesus is the Word of God that became flesh, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14).

Today's Psalm: 98:1-3
"O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God."

Today's Prayer,
Dear Lord,
In the maze of life's events where we are often a passenger on the rollercoaster of ups and downs, may we never lose sight of You, Jesus. You are the unseen, but ever-present Shepherd who protects, guides and tenderly comforts us in all our trouble. Thank You, Lord, that when change is constantly about us, You remain steadfast, faithful, and dependable. You are the Anchor that keeps us grounded in the unseen, but eternal truths we build our lives upon. Thank You, Lord for showing us that You do not care about how much money or friends we have, You love us for who we are and use us and our abilities to reach out to others. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Have a wonderful Monday and week.
God Bless,
Christina

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