May 20-Meditating on God’s Word
Here is the passage for the week:
Judges 7:9-15, During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. 13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” 14 His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” 15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”
Praying the Word: “Lord God, this is absolutely amazing! Gideon has been filled with fear and asking for multiple signs to confirm You were calling him and would deliver his people from the marauding of the Midianites. Now, You came to him and offered him further assurance. You saw within him that he was still struggling with fear and provided another opportunity to be convinced, once and for all, that You were leading the way. The enemy even knew the outcome! You are so generous as You continue to minister to us in our deepest fears, even when we stop asking! Thank You for being so patient towards us as we learn to fully trust You. Amen.”
May 21-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:9, During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands.
Observe what it is saying.
God often speaks to us in the night. Maybe, you’ve been awakened in the night and began praying for someone because they came to mind. We’re not told how God spoke, but it may have been through a dream which was a common avenue for God to communicate with His people. God gave Gideon an urgent message that he was to go to the Midianites’ camp that night. He not only gave instruction, but He gave the promise that they would be victorious. We need to know when we’re given direction by God, we’re being invited into the promises of God.
Relate it to your life.
God’s commands also come with God’s promises.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, may I respond to Your commands because that’s where You are working. Amen.”
May 22-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:10-11, If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp.
Observe what it is saying.
God knows Gideon well. Even after all the signs for which Gideon had asked and God graciously gave to encourage him, God knows that fear still resides in his heart. God doesn’t wait for Gideon to ask, but graciously offers another sign that he is going to win the battle by God’s hand. God intimately knows us and demonstrates to us over and over again that He loves us and reassures us that He is present and working His will through us. We can count on God to give us what we need to lead us to new heights where we never thought we could go.
Relate it to your life.
Don’t give up on yourself because God hasn’t given up on you.
Do something.
“Jesus, thank You for seeing beyond my current limitations to what can be with You. Amen.”
May 23-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:12, The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.
Observe what it is saying.
This is a reminder of just how great the opposition was. Gideon continued to feel fear because he, literally, couldn’t see anything beyond this massive oppressive people camped out on their land. God has whittled his little army down to 300 men. In addition, the enemy had fast-charging camels that gave them another edge in this military campaign. Gideon had no perceived way of winning except through God. How many times do we face such overwhelming circumstances in our own lives where we know we can’t win? However, God faithfully keeps coming to reassure us that with our faith and trust in Him, all things are possible.
Relate it to your life.
Our God is bigger than the largest circumstances we will ever face.
Do something.
“Jesus, help me to remember that with my trust in You, I have the greatest advantage. Amen.”
May 24-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:13-14, Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” 14 His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”
Observe what it is saying.
God’s timing is perfect. Gideon arrived just as he heard the dream being told and interpreted. How does that happen, except for God’s providential work? How did the Midianites know about Gideon? What did they know about him? Was this supernaturally given to them? Obviously, the interpretation of the dream was divinely given to the Midianite to speak at that exact moment for Gideon to hear it. God’s ways are far higher and greater than ours. God is not limited by our earthly constraints and can accomplish so much more than we can fathom.
Relate it to your life.
God is able to do exceedingly more than all we can ever ask or dare to ask.
Do something.
“Jesus, give me faith to believe that Your ways are far superior to my limited thinking. Amen.”
May 25-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:15, When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”
Observe what it is saying.
Gideon knew what he had just heard was divinely given. He knew God had been gracious to him once again by giving him assurance and confidence from the very mouth of the enemy that God was giving them the victory. This was such an overwhelming and astounding confirmation of God’s promise and call. Gideon couldn’t help but to give praise to God for His gracious compassion to help calm the fierce fears of his heart. Gideon was finally ready to go!
Relate it to your life.
Worship comes naturally when we encounter God’s glorious and compassionate nature.
Do something.
“Jesus, I give praise to You for how You show up in my life in such amazing ways. Amen.”
Here is the passage for the week:
Judges 7:9-15, During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore. 13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” 14 His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” 15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”
Praying the Word: “Lord God, this is absolutely amazing! Gideon has been filled with fear and asking for multiple signs to confirm You were calling him and would deliver his people from the marauding of the Midianites. Now, You came to him and offered him further assurance. You saw within him that he was still struggling with fear and provided another opportunity to be convinced, once and for all, that You were leading the way. The enemy even knew the outcome! You are so generous as You continue to minister to us in our deepest fears, even when we stop asking! Thank You for being so patient towards us as we learn to fully trust You. Amen.”
May 21-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:9, During that night the Lord said to Gideon, “Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands.
Observe what it is saying.
God often speaks to us in the night. Maybe, you’ve been awakened in the night and began praying for someone because they came to mind. We’re not told how God spoke, but it may have been through a dream which was a common avenue for God to communicate with His people. God gave Gideon an urgent message that he was to go to the Midianites’ camp that night. He not only gave instruction, but He gave the promise that they would be victorious. We need to know when we’re given direction by God, we’re being invited into the promises of God.
Relate it to your life.
God’s commands also come with God’s promises.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, may I respond to Your commands because that’s where You are working. Amen.”
May 22-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:10-11, If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp.” So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp.
Observe what it is saying.
God knows Gideon well. Even after all the signs for which Gideon had asked and God graciously gave to encourage him, God knows that fear still resides in his heart. God doesn’t wait for Gideon to ask, but graciously offers another sign that he is going to win the battle by God’s hand. God intimately knows us and demonstrates to us over and over again that He loves us and reassures us that He is present and working His will through us. We can count on God to give us what we need to lead us to new heights where we never thought we could go.
Relate it to your life.
Don’t give up on yourself because God hasn’t given up on you.
Do something.
“Jesus, thank You for seeing beyond my current limitations to what can be with You. Amen.”
May 23-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:12, The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.
Observe what it is saying.
This is a reminder of just how great the opposition was. Gideon continued to feel fear because he, literally, couldn’t see anything beyond this massive oppressive people camped out on their land. God has whittled his little army down to 300 men. In addition, the enemy had fast-charging camels that gave them another edge in this military campaign. Gideon had no perceived way of winning except through God. How many times do we face such overwhelming circumstances in our own lives where we know we can’t win? However, God faithfully keeps coming to reassure us that with our faith and trust in Him, all things are possible.
Relate it to your life.
Our God is bigger than the largest circumstances we will ever face.
Do something.
“Jesus, help me to remember that with my trust in You, I have the greatest advantage. Amen.”
May 24-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:13-14, Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.” 14 His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”
Observe what it is saying.
God’s timing is perfect. Gideon arrived just as he heard the dream being told and interpreted. How does that happen, except for God’s providential work? How did the Midianites know about Gideon? What did they know about him? Was this supernaturally given to them? Obviously, the interpretation of the dream was divinely given to the Midianite to speak at that exact moment for Gideon to hear it. God’s ways are far higher and greater than ours. God is not limited by our earthly constraints and can accomplish so much more than we can fathom.
Relate it to your life.
God is able to do exceedingly more than all we can ever ask or dare to ask.
Do something.
“Jesus, give me faith to believe that Your ways are far superior to my limited thinking. Amen.”
May 25-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 7:15, When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”
Observe what it is saying.
Gideon knew what he had just heard was divinely given. He knew God had been gracious to him once again by giving him assurance and confidence from the very mouth of the enemy that God was giving them the victory. This was such an overwhelming and astounding confirmation of God’s promise and call. Gideon couldn’t help but to give praise to God for His gracious compassion to help calm the fierce fears of his heart. Gideon was finally ready to go!
Relate it to your life.
Worship comes naturally when we encounter God’s glorious and compassionate nature.
Do something.
“Jesus, I give praise to You for how You show up in my life in such amazing ways. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals