I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
We learned about the unlikely hero named Gideon in the post “Step Ahead with Faith” Before anything else, Gideon prepared to carry out the plan received from God. Even though Gideon was hesitant and had doubts about his ability to follow through with the plan, he passed the test by receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit and taking the initiative to carry out the plan step by step.
Here is a video to encourage you today: Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns. Receive this encouragement to step ahead with courage. To not be afraid but listen to the voice of Truth. To overcome whatever blocks your progress as you fulfill God’s plan for you.
God thinks you are AWESOME! Focus on what you can do and not on what you wish you could do. Then what seemed to be impossible will become possible. Step by step let us continue the journey through God’s Word as we read Judges 6.
We read in today’s passage that once again, a generation got off track and didn’t follow the Way so God was not with them. They were then invaded like swarms of locusts by nearby groups as the people in surrounding regions camped on the land and ruined the crops to the point that the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help (v. 6).
An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon who was from a poor family, had shown no leadership skills, and lacked courage. He demanded proof from God to assure him that he was the one to save Israel. He ask God to make the wool wet and everything else dry and the Lord did as Gideon ask.
Once the sign from God provided Gideon with proof, he was willing to follow the instructions given. The task was to tear down the altar to Baal his own father had put on their land and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. When he did what he was told, the people in the community were furious and came after Gideon to kill him.
Gideon’s father stood up for him and explained to the people that if Baal was truly a god, he would have not allowed his son to break down his alter. Gideon then become a hero and people rallied around him.
We learn from Gideon’s experience that guidance from the Holy Spirit is so important because we receive the perfect plan to destroy the enemy. Even though Gideon was hesitant and had doubts about his ability to follow through with the plan, he passed the test by taking a stand for the Lord as he tore down the worldly idols.
This day with God, let us trust God to pull us through by claiming His faithfulness to enable us to step ahead with faith. Our job is to simply get started and God will send us signs to inspire us, guidance to prepare us, and change our character so that we are equipped to do great things for Him.
Lord, we learned about the unlikely hero named Gideon today who You encouraged to do great things for Your purpose. He was influenced by the Spirit to step ahead and be transformed into the hero that saved Israel. Help us today to receive Your plan and step ahead with faith to carry this plan out. Amen.
If you stand up to problems with optimism and ask God to help, you will overcome them. Be freed from pessimism and read today’s poem to begin your day stepping ahead on the journey with confidence.
So may all your enemies perish, Lord! But may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength. – Judges 5:31
One take away from the post “He Prepares the Way” is that great things can be done with God’s help because He prepares the way. Those against us don’t stand a chance when we know God is our strength and we work together to advance His cause.
Take encouragement from the song You Say by Lauren Daigle. Like the sun that rises each morning in all its strength, take in the words of the song that God says you are strong. Step ahead today believing and achieving.
As you read Judges 4-5, remember that God thinks you are AWESOME! Focus on what you can do and not on what you wish you could do. Then what seemed to be impossible will become possible. Take in the lessons learned and seek ways to apply these teachings in your life.
Within today’s passage, notice that the people revert back and forth between their own ways and then back to God’s Way when going through difficulty. There would be success when they followed God’s Way but extreme difficulty when they did not. For example: we note that the people had turned away from God and were sold into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan. They were cruelly oppressed and cried to the Lord for help (v. 3).
Deborah was leading Israel and Barak was her military leader. Deborah created a plan to attack Canaan and their army leader named Sisera. The army of Israel under the leadership of Barak routed the army of Sisera and Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael who was thought to be a friendly ally but she drove a tent peg through his temple while he was sleeping.
Barak continued to pursue Sisera and then found out from Jael that Sisera was dead. Since Canaan was without a military leader, Barak pressed harder and led the Israelites to victory over Jabin king of Canaan. For this reason, Deborah and Barak are considered to be co-deliverers of Israel.
One take away from today’s passage is that great things can be done with God’s help because He prepares the way.
Those against us don’t stand a chance because we know God is our strength and we work together to advance His cause.
Lord … You are our strength and we rely on You to help us carry the load of this world. You give us the strength to overcome the enemy when our total focus on You. The enemies we face are our concerns, our doubts, and the worries of today. Help us today as we face our challenges with confidence because You made everything and You made us so our worth is beyond measure. You gave Your Son to redeem us and we are of infinite worth. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 