May 6-Meditating on God’s Word
Here is the passage for the week:
Judges 6:36-40, Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
Praying the Word: “Lord God, we give thanks for Your enduring patience when we’re so slow to trust You. Our default setting seems to be switched to fear and anxiety when we’re called upon to capture Your vision for our lives. We can even come up with some crazy ideas of what it will take to trust You. We need reassurance upon reassurance that it’s really You speaking. Thank You for being so gracious to us in our weak and frail ways but, also, forgive us when we’re so slow to trust You and believe what You have spoken. Help us to overcome our small view of ourselves by understanding the difference that Your great presence makes within us. Give us eyes to see, hearts to believe, and wills to be obedient to Your loving Spirit as You call us to the great tasks of the heavenly kingdom being brought to earth. Amen.”
May 7-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:36, Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—
Observe what it is saying.
In this episode of Gideon’s call, the preceding verses give us the context for what’s happening now. The Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples joined forces and were camping in the Valley of Jezreel. The Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, he blew a trumpet, summoned his tribe and many neighboring tribes to arms to meet this massive army of 135,000 warriors. After doing so, we find Gideon still uncertain in his leadership as he uses the word “if.” He’s not confident. He even knows God has promised to save Israel through him, but he still has doubts about this. He wasn’t quick to believe and trust God at His word. Was he doubting God, himself, or a combination of the two? What we do know, he relates well to many of us who struggle with believing God can use us with the vision He has for us in serving in His kingdom.
Relate it to your life.
God’s call will often mean I will have to work through my doubts in order to trust His leadership.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, help me to stay the course with You and learn to fully trust Your word. Amen.”
May 8-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:37, look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.”
Observe what it is saying.
Gideon offers the first of two challenges to God to ensure that God is really calling him to this monumental task. One wonders how he came up with this particular test. Gideon says if God answers this then he will be assured that God will save Israel just as He said He would. I am tempted to be critical of Gideon for not believing and taking God at His word. He had God’s word, but he didn’t have the personal relationship. As God’s set-apart people, they had drifted far away and separated themselves and had to reacquaint themselves with God. So, it was taking time for Gideon to get to know and trust the God they had abandoned. This is why it’s so vitally important to build our lives on regular routines of individual and corporate worship.
Relate it to your life.
The closeness of my relationship with God is dependent on the quality time I spend with Him.
Do something.
“Jesus, give me a deep desire to enjoy my time in study, prayer, and worship with You. Amen.”
May 9-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:38, And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.
Observe what it is saying.
Gideon got his answer. It was just as he asked. The fleece was wet, the ground was dry. There’s nothing as encouraging as answered prayer or, in this case, an answer for a sign. Scripture teaches us how to increase our prayer response: James 5:16, “…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Psalm 66:18, “If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;” John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” May this word inspire us in our prayer life!
Relate it to your life.
When my heart is as Jesus’ heart then I can expect my prayers will be heard and answered.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me close at home in You, so that Your will is what I wholeheartedly seek. Amen.”
May 10-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:39, Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.”
Observe what it is saying.
The one “fleece test” wasn’t enough to give Gideon the assurance that he needed. He knows he may be entering dangerous ground by asking for another test. He asks God not to be angry with him with his need for more proof. After the religious leaders asked Jesus for a sign from heaven to test who He was, Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign.” It’s understandable that Gideon was nervous. He should’ve been because he was encroaching on dangerous ground. However, God looks at each situation and the motivation of each person to determine his response. He saw the youth and immaturity of Gideon and had mercy upon him.
Relate it to your life.
Our intent matters when approaching God with our requests.
Do something.
“Jesus, may I humbly seek Your help and answers when I have great need in my life. Amen.”
May 11-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:40, That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
Observe what it is saying.
Even though Gideon knew he was in dangerous territory asking for another sign, God graciously answered Gideon with what he asked. This encounter reminds me of one the most repeated Scriptures that describe the character of God. Psalm 86:15, “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” This is the heart of God toward us. Even when we are difficult and disobedient, God’s nature remains the same. If this is God’s nature toward us when we are not at our best, should we not have the same kind of patient love toward others when they are not at their best?
Relate it to your life.
This description should be increasingly true of us as the Spirit continually transforms us.
Do something.
“Jesus, I surrender myself to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit to be like You. Amen.”
Here is the passage for the week:
Judges 6:36-40, Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
Praying the Word: “Lord God, we give thanks for Your enduring patience when we’re so slow to trust You. Our default setting seems to be switched to fear and anxiety when we’re called upon to capture Your vision for our lives. We can even come up with some crazy ideas of what it will take to trust You. We need reassurance upon reassurance that it’s really You speaking. Thank You for being so gracious to us in our weak and frail ways but, also, forgive us when we’re so slow to trust You and believe what You have spoken. Help us to overcome our small view of ourselves by understanding the difference that Your great presence makes within us. Give us eyes to see, hearts to believe, and wills to be obedient to Your loving Spirit as You call us to the great tasks of the heavenly kingdom being brought to earth. Amen.”
May 7-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:36, Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—
Observe what it is saying.
In this episode of Gideon’s call, the preceding verses give us the context for what’s happening now. The Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples joined forces and were camping in the Valley of Jezreel. The Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, he blew a trumpet, summoned his tribe and many neighboring tribes to arms to meet this massive army of 135,000 warriors. After doing so, we find Gideon still uncertain in his leadership as he uses the word “if.” He’s not confident. He even knows God has promised to save Israel through him, but he still has doubts about this. He wasn’t quick to believe and trust God at His word. Was he doubting God, himself, or a combination of the two? What we do know, he relates well to many of us who struggle with believing God can use us with the vision He has for us in serving in His kingdom.
Relate it to your life.
God’s call will often mean I will have to work through my doubts in order to trust His leadership.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, help me to stay the course with You and learn to fully trust Your word. Amen.”
May 8-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:37, look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.”
Observe what it is saying.
Gideon offers the first of two challenges to God to ensure that God is really calling him to this monumental task. One wonders how he came up with this particular test. Gideon says if God answers this then he will be assured that God will save Israel just as He said He would. I am tempted to be critical of Gideon for not believing and taking God at His word. He had God’s word, but he didn’t have the personal relationship. As God’s set-apart people, they had drifted far away and separated themselves and had to reacquaint themselves with God. So, it was taking time for Gideon to get to know and trust the God they had abandoned. This is why it’s so vitally important to build our lives on regular routines of individual and corporate worship.
Relate it to your life.
The closeness of my relationship with God is dependent on the quality time I spend with Him.
Do something.
“Jesus, give me a deep desire to enjoy my time in study, prayer, and worship with You. Amen.”
May 9-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:38, And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.
Observe what it is saying.
Gideon got his answer. It was just as he asked. The fleece was wet, the ground was dry. There’s nothing as encouraging as answered prayer or, in this case, an answer for a sign. Scripture teaches us how to increase our prayer response: James 5:16, “…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Psalm 66:18, “If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;” John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” May this word inspire us in our prayer life!
Relate it to your life.
When my heart is as Jesus’ heart then I can expect my prayers will be heard and answered.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me close at home in You, so that Your will is what I wholeheartedly seek. Amen.”
May 10-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:39, Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.”
Observe what it is saying.
The one “fleece test” wasn’t enough to give Gideon the assurance that he needed. He knows he may be entering dangerous ground by asking for another test. He asks God not to be angry with him with his need for more proof. After the religious leaders asked Jesus for a sign from heaven to test who He was, Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign.” It’s understandable that Gideon was nervous. He should’ve been because he was encroaching on dangerous ground. However, God looks at each situation and the motivation of each person to determine his response. He saw the youth and immaturity of Gideon and had mercy upon him.
Relate it to your life.
Our intent matters when approaching God with our requests.
Do something.
“Jesus, may I humbly seek Your help and answers when I have great need in my life. Amen.”
May 11-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:40, That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.
Observe what it is saying.
Even though Gideon knew he was in dangerous territory asking for another sign, God graciously answered Gideon with what he asked. This encounter reminds me of one the most repeated Scriptures that describe the character of God. Psalm 86:15, “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” This is the heart of God toward us. Even when we are difficult and disobedient, God’s nature remains the same. If this is God’s nature toward us when we are not at our best, should we not have the same kind of patient love toward others when they are not at their best?
Relate it to your life.
This description should be increasingly true of us as the Spirit continually transforms us.
Do something.
“Jesus, I surrender myself to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit to be like You. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals