The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." "Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" "Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive." Judges 6: 11-16 (NIV) The angel of the LORD addresses Gideon as "mighty warrior" in this passage from Judges. So far, Gideon is anything but that. The Israelites are demoralized from fighting a losing war with the Midianites and are scrounging for food. Gideon was processing his wheat in a winepress (indoors) so it wouldn't be taken. Things were bad.
Sound familiar? Have you hit a point in your life where you're asking, "God, are you out there? I feel like I'm alone in this." Gideon was not alone, though. He had a visitor. The angel of the LORD addresses Gideon as who he was made to be, not his identity in the life he was living (Shirer, 2013). If we read through Gideon's story we find a man whom the LORD Almighty choose to use to redeem Israel out of the hands of their enemies. Gideon was a mighty warrior-- but only through the help of the LORD. Who am I meant to be in Jesus? Who are you meant to be in Christ? How are we supposed to live out our days in relationship with him? Whatever he's leading us to, it's awesome, but it's only possible with him. So, who are we, REALLY? If you think you're unworthy, unlovable, un_____, you're WRONG! I'm no stranger to those thoughts. We need to know, though, those lies are from Satan to keep us down and away from the amazing, mind boggling, best that God wants for our lives. Pray to Jesus, Prayer Partner, ask that he would open the eyes of your heart to see him. Ask for his forgiveness and know his love. Walk with the Lord and ask him to show you who he wants you to be. May the LORD be with you, Child of God led to ___________ (insert God's leading in your life). Gideon: Your Weakness. God's Strength by Priscilla Shirer; Lifeway Press, 2013. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me live a life that doesn't accept anything less than you have for me. I don't know what that is, yet, but I ask that you would reveal yourself to me and walk with me. Jesus, forgive me, renew me, and lead me. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. The Good News: In a sin filled world we are separated from God. Our attempts to be good are never enough to match the Lord's holiness. To bring us back to God, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead by God the Father. (Romans 3:22-29) Through faith in Jesus we have access to the LORD Almighty, God the Father. We don’t come to faith on our own. Out of God’s grace he gives us the gift of faith so no one can think they had a part in their salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). Though God calls all his children to him we do have the choice to reject the Lord. If you don't have a relationship with the Jesus Christ or if you feel distant but want to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior then pray to him. Read Faith 101: Is My Name Child of God? Copyright March 2016, Edited April 2016, Be Blessed Prayer. All rights reserved.
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