April 15-Meditating on God’s Word
Here is the passage for the week:
Judges 6:13-16, “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.” 14 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?” 15 “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.” 16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
Praying the Word: “Lord God, when and however You choose to show up, we often have questions. We wonder why things happen the way they do. We question our challenging circumstances. We may even doubt Your promises. However, we may forget, at times, like the Israelites did, that our troubles are because of our choices. However, You are still gracious to respond when we call out to You and even patient when we question You. Though we may not get a direct answer to our questions, You often reassure us of Your presence and call us to action. Then, we may question Your judgment in sending us to do Your work. We know our weaknesses and our track record. We don’t understand why You would choose us or how You can use us in our frailty. However, Your answer is always the same. You are with us! You are the difference. Your presence makes the weak strong. You even make me strong! Amen.”
April 16-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:13a, “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?
Observe what it is saying.
This question has plagued humankind from the fall of man. Why? Why is this happening? Why do bad things happen? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people? Within this line of questioning is a cry for justice that we need answers for. It reveals that we’re made in the image of the one true God of justice who originally designed all things to be right, beautiful, and good. Yet, through free will, the fall of mankind caused systemic dissonance that runs through all aspects of creation. The intellectual answer to “Why bad things” is the Fall caused it. However, we know emotionally that doesn’t satisfy the deep hurt that can be experienced in this fallen, unjust world. Yet, those very feelings reveal the nature of God within us longing for all things to be made whole and well again.
Relate it to your life.
My need to know the answer to “Why?” is my deep longing for God to make all things beautiful.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, please don’t tarry too long for we need Your healing for all of creation. Amen.”
April 17-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:13b, …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.”
Observe what it is saying.
Did Gideon not know on this particular occasion there was a direct correlation between the condition of their nation and their worship of other gods? How did he miss the prophet’s clear explanation which is recorded in verses 8-10? This wasn’t the first sin cycle the Israelites had experienced. They were on number four. The point is that Gideon and the people were not taking responsibility for their sinful behavior of idol worship. We can expect bad things to happen when we turn away from the blessing that comes from worshiping the one true God. That doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen if we remain faithful, but, at least, we keep ourselves singing under the protective cover of the wings of our Lord in such difficult times. (Psalm 63:7)
Relate it to your life.
I need to be fully aware the god that I worship makes all the difference in my spiritual security.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me close, and don’t let me stray away to the false gods all around me. Amen.”
April 18-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:14, 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?”
Observe what it is saying.
The angel representing the Lord didn’t directly answer Gideon’s question or comment on his accusation. Instead, God had a more important message. First of all, God’s response serves as a reminder for us to stay above the fray and engage in more productive conversations. In this case, Gideon was called to go in his strength to save the Israelites. Though it seems comical that he would go in his own strength with his many limitations, the angel saw within Gideon the tremendous potential he had knowing the Lord was sending and equipping him for the task.
Relate it to your life.
God’s vision of our potential always includes His empowerment to accomplish the task.
Do something.
“Jesus, help me to see what You see when You call me to serve You in your strength. Amen.”
April 19-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:15, “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.”
Observe what it is saying.
After questioning the Lord about why so many bad things were happening and wondering where God’s many wonders had gone, now Gideon questioned why God would choose him. He knows himself and understands his lack of strength. He even acknowledges that he is the weakest link in his own family. Just as David was overlooked until the very last when Samuel was asked to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, so God seems to have a pattern of picking the least, last, and lost for His great purposes. We have no excuse when God comes calling because He knows what He’s doing even if we don’t! The great challenge of faith is to believe God can and will use us.
Relate it to your life.
Our natural response may be to make excuses, but they have no merit in God’s kingdom.
Do something.
“Jesus, help me to accept Your call upon my life even when I don’t feel adequate. Amen.”
April 20-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:16, The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
Observe what it is saying.
The reason our excuses have no merit in God’s kingdom is because it’s not about us but about God’s promise of His presence and power. One plus God is an overwhelming majority. The challenge in our belief is not whether we can do what we’re called to do but whether God can do it through us. How big is our God? Can He make up for our severe limitations? This is where we have to totally surrender our hearts and let Him have His way and say, “Lord, here am I, use me, send me, and work through me according to Your will. Thank You for choosing me as one of Your instruments in Your eternal kingdom. Let’s go to work!”
Relate it to your life.
The size of our God determines our willingness to trust and surrender to His leadership.
Do something.
“Jesus, help me to capture the vision of Your greatness so that I’ll be ready to respond when called upon. Amen.”
Here is the passage for the week:
Judges 6:13-16, “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.” 14 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?” 15 “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.” 16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
Praying the Word: “Lord God, when and however You choose to show up, we often have questions. We wonder why things happen the way they do. We question our challenging circumstances. We may even doubt Your promises. However, we may forget, at times, like the Israelites did, that our troubles are because of our choices. However, You are still gracious to respond when we call out to You and even patient when we question You. Though we may not get a direct answer to our questions, You often reassure us of Your presence and call us to action. Then, we may question Your judgment in sending us to do Your work. We know our weaknesses and our track record. We don’t understand why You would choose us or how You can use us in our frailty. However, Your answer is always the same. You are with us! You are the difference. Your presence makes the weak strong. You even make me strong! Amen.”
April 16-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:13a, “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?
Observe what it is saying.
This question has plagued humankind from the fall of man. Why? Why is this happening? Why do bad things happen? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people? Within this line of questioning is a cry for justice that we need answers for. It reveals that we’re made in the image of the one true God of justice who originally designed all things to be right, beautiful, and good. Yet, through free will, the fall of mankind caused systemic dissonance that runs through all aspects of creation. The intellectual answer to “Why bad things” is the Fall caused it. However, we know emotionally that doesn’t satisfy the deep hurt that can be experienced in this fallen, unjust world. Yet, those very feelings reveal the nature of God within us longing for all things to be made whole and well again.
Relate it to your life.
My need to know the answer to “Why?” is my deep longing for God to make all things beautiful.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, please don’t tarry too long for we need Your healing for all of creation. Amen.”
April 17-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:13b, …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.”
Observe what it is saying.
Did Gideon not know on this particular occasion there was a direct correlation between the condition of their nation and their worship of other gods? How did he miss the prophet’s clear explanation which is recorded in verses 8-10? This wasn’t the first sin cycle the Israelites had experienced. They were on number four. The point is that Gideon and the people were not taking responsibility for their sinful behavior of idol worship. We can expect bad things to happen when we turn away from the blessing that comes from worshiping the one true God. That doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen if we remain faithful, but, at least, we keep ourselves singing under the protective cover of the wings of our Lord in such difficult times. (Psalm 63:7)
Relate it to your life.
I need to be fully aware the god that I worship makes all the difference in my spiritual security.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me close, and don’t let me stray away to the false gods all around me. Amen.”
April 18-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:14, 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?”
Observe what it is saying.
The angel representing the Lord didn’t directly answer Gideon’s question or comment on his accusation. Instead, God had a more important message. First of all, God’s response serves as a reminder for us to stay above the fray and engage in more productive conversations. In this case, Gideon was called to go in his strength to save the Israelites. Though it seems comical that he would go in his own strength with his many limitations, the angel saw within Gideon the tremendous potential he had knowing the Lord was sending and equipping him for the task.
Relate it to your life.
God’s vision of our potential always includes His empowerment to accomplish the task.
Do something.
“Jesus, help me to see what You see when You call me to serve You in your strength. Amen.”
April 19-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:15, “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.”
Observe what it is saying.
After questioning the Lord about why so many bad things were happening and wondering where God’s many wonders had gone, now Gideon questioned why God would choose him. He knows himself and understands his lack of strength. He even acknowledges that he is the weakest link in his own family. Just as David was overlooked until the very last when Samuel was asked to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, so God seems to have a pattern of picking the least, last, and lost for His great purposes. We have no excuse when God comes calling because He knows what He’s doing even if we don’t! The great challenge of faith is to believe God can and will use us.
Relate it to your life.
Our natural response may be to make excuses, but they have no merit in God’s kingdom.
Do something.
“Jesus, help me to accept Your call upon my life even when I don’t feel adequate. Amen.”
April 20-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:16, The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
Observe what it is saying.
The reason our excuses have no merit in God’s kingdom is because it’s not about us but about God’s promise of His presence and power. One plus God is an overwhelming majority. The challenge in our belief is not whether we can do what we’re called to do but whether God can do it through us. How big is our God? Can He make up for our severe limitations? This is where we have to totally surrender our hearts and let Him have His way and say, “Lord, here am I, use me, send me, and work through me according to Your will. Thank You for choosing me as one of Your instruments in Your eternal kingdom. Let’s go to work!”
Relate it to your life.
The size of our God determines our willingness to trust and surrender to His leadership.
Do something.
“Jesus, help me to capture the vision of Your greatness so that I’ll be ready to respond when called upon. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals