No Defense Needed

Scripture – Judges 6:30-32: ³⁰The men of the town demanded of Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” ³¹But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.” ³²So that day they called Gideon “Jerub-Baal,” saying, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he broke down Baal’s altar.

Reflection: In the eyes of the people of the town, Gideon had committed an offense worthy of death. They were so afraid of Baal and had given him such a high place in their lives that God had been overshadowed. Their concern was with pleasing Baal. They were afraid to cross him. In the face of that, Joash raised a simple, pertinent point: Baal should be able to defend himself, if he’s really a god.

It’s hard to remember sometimes there is only one God. He’s the one who created the world. He’s the Father of Jesus Christ. There is no Baal. There never was, and there is not today. Whatever I try to put in God’s place is an illusion.

Baal could not defend himself because he existed only in the minds of the people. God, on the other hand, needs no defense from me precisely because He is real and is perfectly capable of defending Himself.

Lord Jesus, please keep my mind and heart clear today. With all the false gods pretending to fill your place, keep me focused on you. For you alone are the Lord of all. You alone are God.