April 26, 2012

Judges 6:1-40; Luke 22:55-23:10; Psalm 95-96:13; Proverbs 14:5-6 (Good News Translation)

15 Gideon replied,
         But Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least important member of my family.


(I thank you Lord for how many times you expose those that don't think very highly of themselves to be used by you.  My weaknesses I wear often like this Gideon.  If only I was not so emotional God could use me mightily.  Yet hear I am so humble to share what you have given me for Won't others see me in my incomplete state.  Surely joy and mourning can't be of the same breath.  Yet they are for me.  My thorn in my side.  Tears wept daily.  some for me, some for others, some just for compassion I see between people.  So I say don't wait to be used by God.  I am going to step out boldly for my Lord.)

 17 Gideon replied,
         If you are pleased with me, give me some proof that you are really the Lord.

(Pleased with me.  Oh how many times I have said those words.)

32 From then on Gideon was known as Jerubbaal,[c] because Joash said,
         Let Baal defend himself; it is his altar that was torn down.

(What boldness it must have taken for him to say these words.  A fearful man that did God's bidding in the night hoping beyond hope that he would not be called into account for his actions.)

40 That night God did that very thing. The next morning the wool was dry, but the ground was wet with dew.
(I just love this story.  I praise God that we know so many of these from childhood.  i can see the story book in my head.)

Luke

Before the rooster crows tonight, you will say three times that you do not know me.62 Peter went out and wept bitterly.
(What grace you had for Peter letting him know that you knew he would do this.  See Jesus said he would still love him even though he would deny him.)

 4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,
         I find no reason to condemn this man.
(How many times do we do what we publicly declare as wrong because we feel we must.  Lord forgive us for doing what people want when our hearts tell us it is wrong.  More importantly your Word tells us it is wrong.)
Psalms 95

3 For the Lord is a mighty God,
      a mighty king over all the gods.

Psalm 96

 5 The gods of all other nations are only idols,
      but the Lord created the heavens.

(Thank you Lord.  You have answered my pray regarding other gods.  A man had planted this idea in my head that their were other gods.  Yet you have made it clear in your word that all these other gods are but created images.