Judges 6-8; Psalm 61
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God is consistently throughout the Bible choosing unlikely
outcasts as leaders. I find this
quite encouraging since I’ve never really considered myself a leader and in fact
have felt in general pretty incapable.
God knew Gideon’s potential; He transformed him from a fearful
timid man who was basically hiding in a cave to a courageous and strong
leader. I love how patient and
encouraging God is with Gideon.
Three different times Gideon asked for signs to prove God’s presence,
and God showed up each time. God
wanted him to know that He was with him.
I have to include a note from the commentary in my Bible [The Discovery Study Bible] because I think
it is so good: “Some suggest that
Christians ‘put out the fleece’ by asking God for a sign of his will. But Gideon already knew God’s will, and
he had shown his willingness to do what God said despite his fears
(6:25-27). The sign that Gideon
asked for, and was given, was God’s gracious reassurance, not a way of
determining what God wanted him to do.”
Then God shows His graciousness and encouragement to Gideon again
when He tells him to go down against the camp. He says, “If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp
with your servant Purah and listen to what they are saying.” When Gideon went down he heard them
talking about a dream about being conquered by the sword of Gideon. Confirmation!
I can imagine Gideon praying the same words from Psalm 61, “I call
as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” “I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Sometimes we have to come out from hiding in the cave and
experience a little from the battlefield in order to experience the shelter of
God’s wings.
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