God's Clear Promise

Scripture – Judges 6:14-18: ¹⁴The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” ¹⁵“But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” ¹⁶The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.” ¹⁷Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. ¹⁸Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.” And the LORD said, “I will wait until you return.”

Reflection: Often I feel like Gideon. The Lord shows me what He wants and says, “Go!” And my response is, “But Lord…” I can think of all kinds of excuses or problems or questions. Yet God’s answer has been consistent with His people over the course of human history: “I will be with you.” The fact is, God can do anything and He can use anyone to accomplish His will – even me.

Gideon still needs a sign of some kind. I’m encouraged by the fact that the Lord is okay with that. He’ll wait and give Gideon some time.

Does god see me as a “mighty warrior?” (See yesterday’s reading.) What sign do I need to be sure of God’s call? I’ll keep my eyes open to that today. I have a lot of ideas rolling around in my head. I’ll see which, if any of those, are from God.

Lord, thank you for your trust and faith in me. Forgive me for my weakness of faith. Move me forward. Move me as you want. Thanks for your patience. Please give me a clear sign this day.

Reading for Sunday, December 30

Scripture – Judges 6:19-22: ¹⁹Gideon went in, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak. ²⁰The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. ²¹With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared. ²²When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, “Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”