~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Judges 6:1-40 ~ Luke 22:54-23:12
Psalm 95:1-96:13 ~ Proverbs 14:5-6
Old Testament - Today in Judges chapter 6 verses 1 we read - "Again the Israelites did what was evil in the LORD's sight." It is so interesting to see the back-and-forth relationship of the Israelites with God in the Old Testament. The Israelites did evil. They cried out to God. God saved them. Then... The Israelites did evil again... And I wonder - are we so different from the Israelites today? Should we be? Could we be? How? I do believe that through a growing and loving relationship with Jesus, we can be spared of this back-and-forth relationship with God. I believe this is the only Way. Let us not have to spend our lives running back and forth to "caves" as we will see below... Let us only run into the arms of the Jesus!
An image is below for verses 1 & 2: "So the LORD handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites fled to the mountains, where they made hiding places for themselves in caves and dens."
Today read about Gideon and the fleece. We also read about how the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and tells Gideon he will save Israel out of Midian’s hands, because he is being sent by God. In verse 15 Gideon replies, “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” You’ll notice how this reply of Gideon’s is reminiscent of Moses’ reaction to God’s call to serve in Exodus chapters 3 & 4 – “Why me? How can I?” etc. etc. And I think it is very useful for each of us to note that God often calls the seemingly lowly – like Moses and Gideon – rather than the seemingly mighty to act for him. This should be encouraging to us! I wonder if you and I are sometimes like Gideon and Moses? I wonder if perhaps we are being called to do something incredible for God in our lives, and we are making excuses like Gideon and Moses made excuses? Should we instead act in obedience to God’s call and trust that he will lead us? If God has called us to something, shouldn’t we have enough faith to believe he will give us the strength and wisdom needed for the journey? What is God calling you to do in your life that you are not doing? Are you making excuses like Gideon and Moses did? Will you instead move forward in faith and obedience to God in this holy calling in your life?
New Testament - Luke chapter 22 verse 70 is powerful - "They all shouted, "Then you claim you are the Son of God?" And Jesus replied, "You are right in saying that I am."" Check out those last two words of Jesus' - I am. Sound familiar? Remember from Exodus 3:14 when Moses asks the burning bush who he should say sent him to free the Israelites from Egypt. And what did God reply? "I am. Tell them that I am is sending you." And here we see Jesus use this same terminology that God used - I am. Below is a powerful image of Jesus before Pilate:
In Luke chapter 23 verses 8 & 9 today we read: "Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer." Herod wanted a miracle "performed." And Jesus simply stayed silent. Beautiful... I wonder if there are moments in our life when we would do well to model Jesus here - to stay silent in the face of a ridiculous request - or in the face of a ridiculous attack on our faith. Silence may be the perfect thing in the face of ridiculousness... Below is "Jesus before Herod Antipas" by the artist Duccio from the year 1308:
Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 22 titled "The Rejection of Israel's Messiah - Part I" is at this link and Part II is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 95 verses 4 & 5 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song "Indescribable": "He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too." Have you heard this song by Chris? Very joyful modern day psalm! You can view the song's lyrics here. Great tune... And great Psalms of praise in 95 & 95 today! Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 95 titled "A Warning about Worship" is at this link.
Wow.. Psalm 96 today is amazing! I love verse 1: "Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!" And I love the imagery in verse 12: "Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise."
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on Psalm 96 verse 1 above is there a new song God is asking you to sing to him these days? Will you sing this new song to God? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
amen Bro Mike
Chris and "Arriving" do it for me...
They usher me into the Throne Room of our Mighty GOD!
Chris Tomlin and Daily Word...winning combination... GOD Bless you for your ministry!
What a Mighty GOD we serve!
Posted by: john b | April 25, 2007 at 09:50 PM
Judges 6:1-40
This generation is blessed in so many ways. We are blessed because we have a record of those that have gone before us as what to do and not do. We can read and experience vicariously what other saints of God have experienced, be they failures or triumphs. So, with Gideon we get to look at a man swimming in a sea of doubts, angst, and uncertainty. God does not wipe him out but continues to work with Him and to answer his wavering questions of faith.
What I see in the big picture is this; our rebellion against the voice of God causes us to not recognize His voice in the midst of our despair. We question God, “Is it You?” We fail to trust, because we are surrounded by untrustworthy people. We first see Gideon, threshing wheat in the bottom of a winepress, an arduous job. Fear of the Midianites, and all the other enemies, had Gideon doing a job that should have been done out in the open so the wind could catch the grains of wheat as it’s thrown in the air, separating the chaff from the wheat, in a confined space with no wind. Hard work was made even harder because of a nation’s sin.
As I tried to visualize this scene and all the extra work it took, I was reminded of the words of Jesus,
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 KJVR)
When we go our own way, we take on the tremendous burden sin directly and indirectly brings upon us. When Godeon is called, God gives him a new perspective of who and what He is, “A Mighty hero …” When he is called God sends Him out in his own strength because “The Lord” will be with him and that is all Gideon needs. O, that I would learn this lesson. There is nothing in my own strength that can get any godly assignment done, it is only because “God is with me,’ that the purposes of God will be accomplished upon the earth.
Posted by: R | April 25, 2007 at 09:51 PM
Just a little correction - although Chris Tomlin recorded the song "Indescribable", it was actually written by Laura Story and Jesse Reeves. It is indeed a great song that inspires us to worship the multi-faceted wonders of our great God!
Rob
Posted by: Rob G | April 26, 2007 at 12:04 AM
I like the story of Gideon...i'm sure his doubt came from leaning to his own understanding. Maybe he wasnt sure if this is wat God wanted, sometimes i find it had to recognize, is this really God's voice? or my own thoughts?...kinda tricky at times.
"Yahweh-Shalom"...i love that!
I love Gideon's request for a sign, he was still not sure (i can relate), 'please dont be mad, but one more sign.'
Peter's betrayal is very sad, sad when Jesus looked up at him. Jesus probly had a loving look on His face, not a condemning one, more like, i knew you would do this, i still love you.
wow..that is heavy wen you think about it! No wonder he went out and wept bitterly, not cried but wept... bitterly! Have we ever betrayed the Lord and wept bitterly? i think we all must have, especially wen we first got saved, the realization of our wrong is almost too much to bare! But He comforts us as He spoke of in the beatitudes regarding repentance, "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted."
“Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?” this just angers me so much! but then I realize, i did this same thing to Him...I was His enemy before I was His friend. For while I was yet a sinner He died for me. wow...never gonna quite grasp that kinda love while i'm on this earth.
Gee, so nice to read Herod n Pilate became friends that day :/ Very sad, and I love Jesus' example, He didnt cast pearls to the swine, but remained silent. Sometimes that's the most powerful response we can have. I'm sure we all have talked to nonbelievers about God n some ppl genuinely want answers and we are to help them. but with with some ppl, there comes a point where you realize they arent really looking for answers, but for a debate...for an opportunity to mock. thats wen God tells me to stop talking to them and keep silent...dont give wat is holy to wat is unholy.
that kinda goes along with Proverbs: "A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding."
and understanding comes from God to those with a soften, open, available heart. I have a friend who is into philosophy and into Ghandi and all those guys...yet he ridicules the bible. he is still my friend, i love the guy, but he searches for truth, so he claims, yet is a mocker of the Truth. we cant even discuss the Bible without him getting highly agitated and defensive. its weird, i'm sure we all have seen this, you just mention Jesus, the Bible and they immediately change dispositions, from nice and easy going to angry and defensive. the name of Jesus is so powerful! I dont see ppl twitch and fidget like crazy and the names Allah, Buddha, Mohammad, but i have sure seen it with the message of Jesus! one of my friends...if i even turn on music by a secular yet maybe Christian band, she flips out on me. at a relatives wedding during prayer she was fidgeting like crazy, as if her skin was crawling. I have been asked by her not to mention Jesus, God, etc. So i respect her decision. veryyyy sad. :(((
I love Indescribable by Chris Tomlin!!! DEFINITELY one of my fave songs of all time. that song there, u cant listen to without throwing your hands up in praise!! i love it!
Posted by: Jenny | April 26, 2007 at 08:30 AM
OT
I remember when I was considered being baptised I was scared Hed used me as a missionary overseas. I didnt want to leav my family here in New Zealand. I was told God only makes ys do things He prepoares us for. He prapares our hearts so we want to.
I love the first picture you put up today Mike.
Psalms
I love the verse 96.3 "Tell every nation on earth, "The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things!" as I visit my bloggie friends I often tell them how good God is. Ive been looking for different ways to say this. The LORD is wonderful :) and He does do marvelous things!!!!" Praise His name forever!!
Posted by: jen | April 26, 2007 at 01:26 PM
Verses that stood out for me:
Judges 6:23 "It is all right,” the Lord replied. “Do not be afraid. You will not die.”
Luke 22:69 "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand".
Psalm 95:3 "For the Lord is a great God,
a great King above all gods".
Psalm 96:9 "Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him".
Psalm 96:11 "Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!".
Proverbs 14:6 "A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it,
but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding".
Especially Proverbs 14:6 stood out for me, big time! I know mockers, there are a couple of mockers around me. They're in church, saved and all. But still mock on everything the Pastor sais (so actually what God sais), they talk about people behind their backs, they disagree on things and so on and on and on. And they wonder why me and my family go fast in our development .... why it comes so easy on us to follow Jesus ....
Posted by: Mae | April 27, 2007 at 07:17 PM