Monday's Devotion - Repentence Precedes Deliverance

Read Judges 6:27-40
In verse 26 God told Gideon to build an altar out of the wood from the grove he was to cut down. This grove was the altar of Baal and Ashtorah. He did it at night because he was afraid of his own people. When they woke up the next day and found out who did it his father is the one who stepped up to defend him. He doesn't sound like a "might warrior" yet... still a little timid, afraid of man.
In order for God to be able to deliver the Israelites He dealt with their sin first. Repentence precedes deliverance. Their sin was following other gods. Once Gideon cut them down by the root, God was able to do His part, which is the miraculous part. And Gideon emerged a different man.
It verse 34 we find a different Gideon because the "Spirit of the Lord" came upon him. He blew a trumpet (he made a sound with his mouth) and Abiezer was "gathered after him." "Ezer" is a word that describes the Holy Spirit. It means our "helper". "Gathered after him" means the Holy Spirit cried out for him. He had his back. Gideon called for men out of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali. That is he took with him Asher: joy and righteousness. Zebulun: his intimacy with God. Naphtali: his warrior spirit.
Then he asks for confirmation. He always gets a bum wrap for his fleeces but I don't think we have understood this correctly. God never got mad at him for asking for a sign. God is patient and honors his request. I think it is always wise to seek counsel, confirmation, etc. when God has given us an assignment. Gideon's decision was going to affect many lives and he wanted to be sure before he leaped. Proverbs has a lot to say about seeking counsel. Gideon didn't go to his friends for counsel, he went straight to God for his answer. God loves this. It is all about the relationship and Gideon was developing an intimate trust in God.
If you can't seem to defeat your enemy, maybe you left out the stage where you cut down your idols and repented. Or maybe you need to gather the strength of the Holy Spirit around you. Have you girded yourself with joy, intimacy with God, and the confidence to use the Word of God? If you have done all this and you are still afraid, ask God for a sign. He is with you and will hear your request and answer you.