Read: Judges 7:1-8:17; Luke 23:13-43; Psalms 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 14:7-8
God was ready to deliver Israel from the Midianites and he wanted them to know it was his power alone. He told Gideon to whittle down his army of 32,000 men. Gideon sent home all who were afraid and only 10,000 remained. It was still too many so God gave the men a drinking test. Those who lapped the water got to stay and the rest went home. God was looking for 300 brave men who he could use. They were going to go up against a multitude of soldiers.
Gideon was the one who was afraid, so God encouraged him. He sent him down into the Midianite camp to listen. He heard a man give his dream and its interpretation. This was the encouragement Gideon needed to attack.
God’s plan was to put his light inside clay vessels. With the blast of a trumpet - God’s Word the victory will come.
When we are fearful or don’t feel comfortable about what God is calling us to do, he will give us confirmations, dreams, encouraging words, signs… anything we can understand.
In Luke, Pilate proclaimed that the lamb of God was spotless. He couldn’t find any reason to prosecute him. He has not broken any law. This was a problem for the priests who wanted him crucified because under their law, they couldn’t crucify anyone. The Roman law was their only hope. They found a loophole when Pilate offered to release Jesus or Barabbas. Pilate chose the worse criminal in his jail thinking there would be no way they would choose him over Jesus. But he was wrong. They chose Barabbas and demanded that Jesus be crucified. To stop a riot, Pilate gave the people what they wanted. Little did they know, they were falling right into God’s plan of redemption.
God delivered Israel through a small army and God delivered the world through one man. Whatever the Lord has called us to do, he can do!
Lord, today we will shout for joy before our king. Help us to put our faith in your plan, because it is always for redemption.
No comments:
Post a Comment