Bible Reading
According to the Bible reading plan we are using, today there aren’t specific scriptures assigned. Use today to catch up if you are behind in your reading. Or, use today to read ahead. Read Psalm 30 & Proverbs 30 since it is the 30th day of the month.
Daily Devotion
The Strength You Have
By Sarah Seagraves
A few days ago we read Judges 6, the story of Gideon. When I read this account something stood out to me that I hadn’t seen before.
The Israelites have once again been turned over to their enemies due to their evil actions. God has allowed them to be dominated by the MIdianites for seven years. Israel has been in hiding. Whenever they would plant a crop the enemy would attack and destroy what they have cultivated. Israel is reduced to starvation and finally cry out to the Lord for help.
The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon as he is fearfully and secretly threshing wheat. He calls Gideon a mighty hero…speaking in faith how God sees him. Not a coward but a hero. Gideon questions this pronouncement by accusing God of abandoning them and handing them over to the Midianites. How does the Lord respond to these accusations?
“Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”” Judges 6:14 NLT
Gideon, the strength you have is enough to start the process of rescuing Israel. Gideon questions again. He is focused on his clan being the weakest and him being the least in his family. God lets him know how it is possible.
The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” Judges 6:16 NLT
Gideons replies to God, “If you are really going to help me, show me a sign to prove it’s really you, God, speaking to me. Don’t leave until I come back and bring my offering to you.” God assures him He won’t leave until he comes back.
After offering the sacrifice, peace comes.
He is instructed to offer another sacrifice. He is to tear down the altar to Baal, Asherah’s pole, and build an altar to the Lord offering a sacrifice upon it. He accomplishes this task at night because he was afraid the other members of his family would see what he is doing.
The next morning what he has done is discovered. They want to know who did it. Gideon is pointed out and the men of the town ask for him to be brought out so they can kill him. HIs father defends him and lets them know if Baal is really a god, he can defend himself. Gideon is known from them on as Jerub-baal which means, “Let Baal defend himself.”
Then, Gideon is instructed to go against the armies of Middian, Amalek, and the people of the East. The Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power and we know the rest of the story.
What struck me is that before Gideon could conquer armies, clothed with the power and spirit of God, he had to make the first move. He had to work with the strength he had and tear down the idols that were in the way. God can fight our battles and bring us victory over the enemy but we first have to tear down the idols in our lives and make Him Lord of ALL.
What is standing between you and the calling God has given you? Go in the strength you have. Tear down those idols. Offer your life as a sacrifice to God. Peace will come when you are doing what He has called you to do. God will then give you all the power and strength you need to live a victorious life. The first step is ours though!