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A matter of obedience
Ken SilvaJudges 6: 36-38
Gideon said to God, "if you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew, a bowlful of water.
At this point in time the nation of Israel was in a very desperate situation. The Midianites and the Amalekites had been invading the land occupied by the Israelites for seven years. They destroyed their crops and their livestock. The Israelites were reduced to living in caves and clefts in the mountains. The misery they received was to a great extent, self imposed due to their sin. The Lord raises up a "rescuer" in Gideon and sends the "Angel of the Lord" to tell him that he will save Israel out of Midian's hand. The angel is a messenger from the Lord himself but Gideon needs multiple "signs" from the Lord beyond his promises, to be sure that the Lord is really with him.
Aren't we like Gideon at times? We feel a prompting from the Lord in regards to a decision, an answered prayer or a difficult situation. God confirms the prompting through a trusted brother, or maybe through devotions, or the Pastor from the pulpit. But we're still not sure so we seek "just one more confirmation". I was in a similar situation when I was getting ready to retire from the fire department. I felt a prompting on my heart from the Lord to help the Church and join the staff of New Hope. I resisted the call, choosing to do something else. But the call became so compelling that I knew without a doubt that God wanted to use me for his purposes here at New Hope. In hindsight I am a little embarrassed to admit my lack of obedience. But on the other hand I am glad that the Lord didn't give up on me and allowed me to partner with him to help build his kingdom.
My prayer Lord is to be obedient. Lord continue to be "real" in my life and help me to press closer to you. Help me to recognize your promptings and be obedient to your call. Dear Lord I love you and thank you for all things. Amen.
