August 29 -- "When Human Strength is Too Much"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 7

"When Human Strength is Too Much"

Gideon and the armies of Israel are about to take on the Midianites - an intimidating enemy.  So, Gideon prepares the nation for war.  He gathers over 30,000 soldiers to fight in the battle – a number that he was confident would be enough to conquer Midian.  As the troops move closer to the enemy territory, Gideon is interrupted by the Lord who says, “Hold on! You have TOO LARGE of an army with you, Gideon.”  Wait!  What?  Too large an army?  Is that even possible? Gideon certainly would have understood if the Lord told him that his army was too small.  But too big?  Gideon was puzzled. How could having too many soldiers be a problem?  But God had a plan.

The Lord goes on to explain, “If I let you proceed into battle with this much human strength, then you and your armies will take all the credit, saying, ‘I did it all myself,’ and forget about Me. We can’t let that happen Gideon.  I can’t turn Midian over to you like this.”  So, Gideon begins paring down the troops.  First, down to 10,000, and ultimately down to merely three hundred men.  I’m sure Gideon is thinking that there’s no way to beat Midian with only three hundred men.  They’ll crush us.  But God had a plan. 

The next thing that happens is that Gideon disarms his troops.  He tells them to put down their swords and their spears.  He gives each of them a trumpet, a jar, and a torch – not your usual implements of war.  But God had a plan.

The message that God was trying to get across to Gideon and his troops was that there are times when human strength is “too much.”  When we rely on our own resources, and our own ingenuity, and our own strength to accomplish a task it doesn’t leave much room for God to show His might on our behalf.   We can easily get our eyes off of God and His mighty working power.  Whenever we attempt to achieve some spiritual victory in our own strength we run the risk of saying, “I did it by myself.” Rather, we must learn to rely on God and give Him the credit – even when He uses “unconventional” methods to win the war.

Who, or what, is your Midian?  Is there an intimidating enemy on your horizon?  Are you gathering your resources to take on the battle?  Are you planning the strategies to use – like “positive thinking” or “determination” or “seven steps to success”?  Don’t be surprised when the Lord interrupts you and says, “Wait!  Don’t do it.  Put down your ‘swords’ and ‘spears’ and pick up your trumpet and torch.”  Then you will see God’s plan and His power and His victory, and you’ll be able to say, like Gideon, “look what the Lord has done!”

August 28 -- "Face-to-Face"

Today’s Reading: Judges 6

"Face-to-Face"

The people of Israel have, once again, turned away from God.  Once again, the LORD delivered them into the hand of their enemy.  This time it was the Midianites who oppressed Israel for seven long years.  Because of the heavy hand of the Midianites, the Israelites took to hiding out in dens, and caves, in the rocks, in winepresses, in the mountains – wherever they could find.  The Midianites were particularly ruthless in their dealings with Israel.  They would destroy their crops, their flocks, and their herds leaving no sustenance for Israel. 

But, once again, Israel cried out to the Lord.    And, once again, the Lord sent a deliverer to rescue them.  The angel of the Lord came to a man named Gideon who – like the rest of Israel  – was hiding out from the Midianites.  Instead of threshing the wheat out in the open at the threshing floor, Gideon was threshing the wheat in the winepress hoping not to be spotted by the Midianites.

This is what makes the Angel’s words so unexpected.  The Angel finds Gideon hiding out and says to him, “God is with you, O mighty man of valor.”  Wait!  What?!  Are you talking to me?  I’m no mighty man of valor.  I’m a scaredy-cat.  I’m hiding down here in the wine vat because I’m weak and afraid.  I am actually the weakest member of my family – and my family is the weakest one in all the tribe.  You got the wrong dude!  But the Angel insisted, giving him a radical mission from God – “Go in this might of yours. I am sending you – yes YOU – to deliver your people!”  Then the Angel makes a promise that changes Gideon’s viewpoint completely – “I will be with you and you shall defeat the Midianites.”

After a bit more persuasion from the Angel, Gideon came to the stark realization that this was a genuine divine encounter with the Angel of the Lord.  He says in verse 22, “Alas, O Master God! I have seen the angel of God face-to-face!”  Wow!  A face-to-face encounter with a being from the Spirit world. (Many believe that this was actually a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ Himself – known as a theophany.)  From the moment of that encounter, Gideon became exactly the person God knew he could be – a mighty man of valor.

God saw in him a reality that Gideon didn’t even see in himself.  God saw that he could be more than a wimpering scaredy cat hiding in a winepress.  God knew that Gideon was destined for greater things.  Not because of any character trait of Gideon, but because of the anointing of God’s power upon his life. 

God sees in you a reality that you don’t even see in yourself.  God sees that you can become more than you ever have.  God knows that you are destined for great exploits for His kingdom.  Not because of any natural abilities of your own, but because He will empower you and He will be with you.  Answer the call.  Crawl out of your insecurities and fears.  And trust the Living God to make your life a powerful witness for Him.  God is with YOU, O mighty man/woman of valor!

 

 

August 27 -- "Melody to the Lord"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 5

"Melody to the Lord"

This is the song of Deborah and Barak.  It is a song of victory.  But more than that, it is a song of praise to the God who gave them victory.  Deborah and Barak’s song of praise recalls the dramatic activity of God, the initiative of the leaders, and the willing service of the people which together produced the spectacular victory over Jabin, Sisera, and the military forces of Canaan.  One writer called this song "the finest masterpiece of Hebrew poetry" that "deserves a place among the best songs of victory ever written."¹

The opening stanza gives the reason, as well as the call, to bless the Lord.  Their melody to the LORD praises Him for three reasons: the leaders led, the people served, and God brought the victory. 

They “bless” the LORD that the leaders took the lead in Israel.  The word “bless” in Hebrew means to kneel as an act of reverence.  They were truly thankful that God put it on the hearts of the leaders of the nation to get up and take action.  This outcome wasn’t always assured.  You remember from chapter 4, that it took a strong exhortation from Deborah to get Barak, the military leader, to get up and get going.  Now, they are thankful that God gave him the grace and courage to do so.

They also bless the LORD that the people “offered themselves willingly.”  Oh, what a blessing it is when we experience a grassroots rising of God’s people to service.  In every thriving church, there is always a strong army of servants among the congregation.  The leader cannot do it him/herself.  The people must be willing to offer themselves to get into the fray and take ground from the enemy.

The remainder of this melody to the LORD is praise for His personal involvement in the battle.  They didn’t fight alone.  God intervened and gave them the victory.  He showed Himself strong on their behalf.  And for that, they are truly thankful.

Thus we see three elements that are necessary for the success of any ministry: strong leadership, willing servants, and God’s power.  When these three elements converge, we too will be singing and making melody to the Lord for His victory.  “To the LORD I will sing; I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

 ¹Robert H. Pfeiffer, Introduction to the Old Testament

August 26 -- "Up!"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 4

"Up!"

Inciting someone to good works is a practice that is honored and encouraged throughout the Bible.  Hebrews 10:24 commands us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” There are moments for all of us when we get down and discouraged or when we draw back when confronted by a strong enemy (sin, the flesh, the devil).  In those moments, we need someone to incite us to get up! 

In today’s reading, we have one such exhortation.  Barak, the commander of the Lord’s armies, was down.  He was discouraged and was drawing back because Jabin, the king of Canaan, had amassed an intimidating military arsenal.  We are told that Jabin had cruelly oppressed Israel with his nine hundred iron chariots for twenty years.  Barak was intimidated by this show of force, and was down – really down. It is likely that he was suffering some form of depression or, at least, despair.  His sadness had led to hopelessness and dejection.

Deborah was a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth. She was judge over Israel at that time.  She sent for Barak and said to him, “Get up!  It has become clear that God, the God of Israel, commands you to go to Mount Tabor and prepare for battle against Sisera, the leader of Jabin’s military forces.”  This appeal to Barak was Deborah’s way of inciting him to pull out of his discouragement and get back to doing what God had called him to do.  Barak, still feeling down and discouraged, said to Deborah, “If you go with me, I’ll go. But if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”  Oftentimes, it is easier to pull out of our periods of discouragement when a fellow believer is by our side supporting us and keeping our head in the game.  This was one of those times. “I can’t do this alone,” says Barak, “I need your support.”  Deborah, moved by her faith in God, assured him that she would be with him.

Deborah’s word to Barak was, “UP!”  You’re down, but get UP.  You’re faith is waning, but get UP. Deborah reminded Barak that the LORD would be marching before them.  By faith, she declared, “This very day God has given you victory over Sisera.”  At the moment when Barak was at his lowest, when he thought defeat was certain, God was exhorting him to get UP and trust Him for the victory.

We all face downturns.  We all go through times of sadness and discouragement.  We are sometimes intimidated by the forces against us.  Sin will flex it’s muscles and say, “you’ll never defeat me.”  But we should never give up. Don’t yield yourself to despair.  Don’t listen to the lies of darkness.  Right at those moments when your defeat seems certain, the LORD says to you - “Up! This very day I have given you victory!”

August 25 -- "A Deliverer Rescues Israel"

Today’s Reading: Judges 3 

"A Deliverer Rescues Israel"

The Lord allowed Israel to be defeated by an enemy nation and taken into servitude.  The people of Israel were in servitude to Cushan-Rishathaim for eight years.

Then, the people of Israel cried out to the LORD and He raised up a deliverer who rescued them, Caleb’s nephew Othniel, son of his younger brother Kenaz. The name “Othniel” means lion of God.  We don’t know much about Othniel, except that “the Spirit of God came upon him” and he rallied the nation.  They went to war and the LORD delivered Cushan-Rishathaim into their hand and they were freed from servitude. This was God’s doing.  "The Spirit of Yahweh" came upon Othniel’s human spirit, enabling him to accomplish what his natural strength could not. After that, the Nation had peace for the next forty years.

It was in answer to Israel's cry that the LORD raised up Othniel as their "savior."  Not only did Othniel lead the people to military victory, he led them back into a right relationship with God. They once again honored the LORD.  The corruption of the people had led to their oppression, and now their repentance leads to their rescue. 

Othniel became the first of some fifteen “Judges” that would govern the Nation over the next 400 years.  These were not judges in the sense of a magistrate or one who presides over courtroom judicial proceedings.  These judges were temporary and special deliverers, sent by God to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors.  Each time the Israelites came to the “end of themselves” and turned back to God for deliverance, they called upon Him and – consistent with His character and promise - He sent a rescuer to deliver them. 

There are two lessons we can learn from this.  The first is that even the most corrupt nation is eligible for God’s mighty deliverance.  If any society will humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, the Almighty Deliverer will send deliverance and victory to that society.  As God promised, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me." Psalm 50:15  The second lesson is that God can do mighty things through only one person upon whom is His Spirit.  Jesus said, “apart from Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5) but when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you can do “all things through Him who strengthens us.” (Philippians 4:13)

If you are open to it and allow God’s Spirit to take control, you too can do mighty works – perhaps even deliver a nation! 

August 24 -- "A Generation Without God"

Today’s Reading: Judges 2 

"A Generation Without God"

They started out so well!  

Under Joshua’s leadership, the people of Israel had committed themselves to fear God, worship Him in total commitment, shun idols, follow the commandments, and serve only the LORD.  Joshua had even given them a clear choice – serve God or serve the false gods of the society around them.  They chose the LORD!  Even after Joshua’s death, the very first thing they did was to inquire of the LORD, seeking His wisdom and guidance for their nation.  The people worshipped God throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the time of the leaders who survived him, leaders who had been in on all of God’s great work that he had done for Israel. It all seemed to be going so well.

Eventually that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation grew up that didn’t know anything of God or the work He had done for Israel.  And that’s when it all came crashing down!  The younger generation strayed from their commitment to God and began a downward progression toward apostasy. They began to do evil.  They served the Baal-gods and the Ashtarte-goddesses.  They deserted God and their parents. They took up the worship of the “gods” of the people around them.  At eventually, their true God, Yahweh, was provoked to anger.  So much so, that He removed His hand of protection from them and they became helpless before their enemies.

Thus begins a cycle of faith-deteriorating-to-apostasy that would repeat itself within the Nation for the next 400 years. And it all seems to begin with a “new generation” that didn’t know anything about the LORD or His relationship with Israel.  Somewhere along the way, the parents and grandparents failed to impart to their children the truth of God.  So, the children grew up being influenced by the cultural “norms” of the society around them.  Rather than “bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4), the parents allowed the influences of the world to get into their children’s souls and minds.  The results of this are predictable – they end up going after “other gods” and bowing down to them and worshipping something – or someone – other than the LORD.

It has been said, “We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education, and be surprised when they come home as Romans” (Pastor Voddie Baucham). The society around us will influence our children and, if we’re not diligent, will lead them away from God.  Oh, how important it is for each generation to protect their children from the secular influences of the society around them.  Failure to do so can lead to a course of action that ultimately leads to spiritual defeat.  

The enemy is after our children and we must stand in his way!

August 23 -- "Inquiring of the Lord"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 1

"Inquiring of the Lord"

The beginning of a new era has arrived for Israel. The book of Joshua ended with the people settling in the land, but there were still many areas left unconquered. Some enemies remained, and they had yet to claim all the territories that God had promised them. Sadly, Joshua, their leader, passed away, leaving them to continue without his guidance. Now, they must complete the task of occupying the Land, as God had pledged to them.

Before Joshua's passing, he passionately urged the people to fear God, worship Him wholeheartedly, reject idols, obey His commandments, and serve only the LORD. It was an exciting time filled with anticipation and hope. Imagine, a society chosen by God, founded on His principles and laws, and fully devoted to His leadership. This could be the start of something incredible.

The people began well. The very first verse of Judges tells us that they sought guidance from the LORD. They wanted to know the strategy for the upcoming battles and who should lead them in driving out the remaining people in Canaan. They had observed Moses and Joshua doing this for years – seeking God's guidance and wisdom. So, they followed the example of their late leaders and humbly asked God for direction.

Seeking God's guidance is crucial for those who follow Christ. Whenever we need to make a decision, big or small, it is essential to turn to God for His wisdom and direction. Sometimes, we may think a particular course of action is right, but when we seek God's guidance, He may show us a different path. We must learn that correct decisions are not always based on human reasoning, emotions, or passions. Even if we feel strongly about something, God's will may differ from ours.

Inquiring of the Lord involves more asking and seeking His heart rather than simply making requests for ourselves. While petitioning is telling God what we want Him to do for us, inquiring is asking God what is on His heart, what He wants us to pray for, and what His will is. Praying in this way honors God and helps us understand His desires. By humbly inquiring of the Lord, step by step, point by point, we can sense His leading and follow His direction.