Judges 9
Abimelech, Gideon's son, decides to be King. He kills his 70 brothers, except Jotham, so that no one can claim the throne. God eventually gets vengeance by killing him after allowing Abimelech to slaughter those in an evil city.
All of the good that Gideon left behind, his 70 sons and his legacy, are smashed by the son of his slave girl. This is a perfect example of how storing up treasures on earth is pointless, because it can so quickly be taken away.
What is on earth is not permanent. If I put more store in the legacy I leave behind than in what I store up with my Father in Heaven, then I've missed the entire point. What is here today has every chance of being gone tomorrow, but what I do for Jesus is never wasted.
God, thank you that you have already set up a place for me where I can be safe from rust and decay. You've given me life abundant, but this isn't when I'm meant to store my worth. Thank you for how you've made me. I don't understand your thoughts, I can't even pretend to, but thanks for giving me a glimpse.
Amen.
2/20/09
2/19/09
Day 30 - February 19/09
Judges 8
Gideon defeats the Midianites, and in return Israel asks him and his family after him to rule over the country. He humbly rejects their offer and says that only God rules, but instead takes gold from his army and from the kings they defeated in payment. He had the gold melted down into an idol that his family struggled with, because they were inclined to worship it.
Gideon was trying to be so noble and bring honour to God instead of himself, and he ended up failing miserably. He turned to value money more than God, and brought his family into temptation as well.
I don't like to think that I put money in front of God. I am so thankful that He has given me a heart that does not hold on to wealth, but is eager to give to Him. I never want this to change. And I always want all the glory to go to Him.
God, forgive me when I put other things before you. Help me to walk in Your will and not to fall in love with money. You're the only one I want to live for.
Amen.
Gideon defeats the Midianites, and in return Israel asks him and his family after him to rule over the country. He humbly rejects their offer and says that only God rules, but instead takes gold from his army and from the kings they defeated in payment. He had the gold melted down into an idol that his family struggled with, because they were inclined to worship it.
Gideon was trying to be so noble and bring honour to God instead of himself, and he ended up failing miserably. He turned to value money more than God, and brought his family into temptation as well.
I don't like to think that I put money in front of God. I am so thankful that He has given me a heart that does not hold on to wealth, but is eager to give to Him. I never want this to change. And I always want all the glory to go to Him.
God, forgive me when I put other things before you. Help me to walk in Your will and not to fall in love with money. You're the only one I want to live for.
Amen.
2/17/09
Day 29 - February 17/08
Judges 7
God takes Gideon's army and sends nearly everyone home so that he is only left with 300 men. They defeat the Midianite camp, and all the glory goes to God because such a small number could ever defeat such a large army without His help.
God asks for incredible trust. What seems foolish to men is wisdom to God. He can see the end from the beginning, and He is asking Gideon to trust His words. In the end, once again, God comes through. He is even willing to give Gideon another sign before attacking!
I need to trust Him! Even when I don't hear His voice, I need to look to His Word and let that be enough. I don't know what else I can do.
God, I need faith! I need to believe Your words and take them as truth, even when they sound crazy to me. Help me to see the wisdom in Your words.
Amen.
God takes Gideon's army and sends nearly everyone home so that he is only left with 300 men. They defeat the Midianite camp, and all the glory goes to God because such a small number could ever defeat such a large army without His help.
God asks for incredible trust. What seems foolish to men is wisdom to God. He can see the end from the beginning, and He is asking Gideon to trust His words. In the end, once again, God comes through. He is even willing to give Gideon another sign before attacking!
I need to trust Him! Even when I don't hear His voice, I need to look to His Word and let that be enough. I don't know what else I can do.
God, I need faith! I need to believe Your words and take them as truth, even when they sound crazy to me. Help me to see the wisdom in Your words.
Amen.
2/16/09
Day 28 - February 16/09
Judges 6
Again, the Israelites are sinning and God has brought an oppressor upon them: the Midianites. In response to their cries, God first sends an unnamed prophet to speak words of judgment, and then an angel to the house of Gideon. "The Lord is with you" (6:12) is the angel's greeting, and Gideon immediately goes into a complaint typical of people today: if God is with us, why are all these bad things happening; why don't we see miracles like in Moses' day (this is less than a few hundred years later); and, how can I do anything when I am so weak? So Gideon asks for a sign that it's really God, and so God burns up His offering before his eyes. In response, Gideon, on God's commands, destroys the alter of Baal and the Asherah pole. The men want to kill him, but his father convinces them that Baal can seek his own revenge. So God sends Gideon to lead His army, and Gideon again asks for two signs with the fleece on the ground. Every time God comes through.
The Lord was with Gideon. The first words he ever hears from God, and he doubts. Gideon is following God's orders, but under cover of dark or only after many signs and wonders. He doubts when he should be confident in the God who has said He is with him. Gideons' faith is fickle and waivering, but God still uses him.
Somehow, God still uses me. How and why and for what purpose? Who knows. But just as He used Gideon despite his flaws, God can still take my life and make something beautiful come from the wreckage.
God, help me to hear you and trust you without the miracle wonders. Where I have lack of faith, give me more than I could ever dream of. Help me to trust in you, even when it seems impossible.
Amen.
Again, the Israelites are sinning and God has brought an oppressor upon them: the Midianites. In response to their cries, God first sends an unnamed prophet to speak words of judgment, and then an angel to the house of Gideon. "The Lord is with you" (6:12) is the angel's greeting, and Gideon immediately goes into a complaint typical of people today: if God is with us, why are all these bad things happening; why don't we see miracles like in Moses' day (this is less than a few hundred years later); and, how can I do anything when I am so weak? So Gideon asks for a sign that it's really God, and so God burns up His offering before his eyes. In response, Gideon, on God's commands, destroys the alter of Baal and the Asherah pole. The men want to kill him, but his father convinces them that Baal can seek his own revenge. So God sends Gideon to lead His army, and Gideon again asks for two signs with the fleece on the ground. Every time God comes through.
The Lord was with Gideon. The first words he ever hears from God, and he doubts. Gideon is following God's orders, but under cover of dark or only after many signs and wonders. He doubts when he should be confident in the God who has said He is with him. Gideons' faith is fickle and waivering, but God still uses him.
Somehow, God still uses me. How and why and for what purpose? Who knows. But just as He used Gideon despite his flaws, God can still take my life and make something beautiful come from the wreckage.
God, help me to hear you and trust you without the miracle wonders. Where I have lack of faith, give me more than I could ever dream of. Help me to trust in you, even when it seems impossible.
Amen.
2/15/09
Day 27 - February 15/09
Proverbs 2
How to attain wisdom and fear of God:
- store up the commands of Proverbs in your heart
- turn your ear to wisdom
- apply your heart to understanding
- call out for insight
- cry aloud for understanding
God gives wisdom to those who ask for it. When we cry out for it, long for it, and apply it when given, God graciously gives it. He does not require much, just a willing heart and the humbleness to ask.
Wisdom is something I have always sought after, but I've never really been sure how to gain it. Over time I've found verses that point toward it, but this is pretty clear. Getting myself to a place of fearing God is another thing that's been on my mind a lot, so this is giving me lots of ponder.
God, I don't know how to fear You. I don't even know what it would look like. Show me?
How to attain wisdom and fear of God:
- store up the commands of Proverbs in your heart
- turn your ear to wisdom
- apply your heart to understanding
- call out for insight
- cry aloud for understanding
God gives wisdom to those who ask for it. When we cry out for it, long for it, and apply it when given, God graciously gives it. He does not require much, just a willing heart and the humbleness to ask.
Wisdom is something I have always sought after, but I've never really been sure how to gain it. Over time I've found verses that point toward it, but this is pretty clear. Getting myself to a place of fearing God is another thing that's been on my mind a lot, so this is giving me lots of ponder.
God, I don't know how to fear You. I don't even know what it would look like. Show me?
2/14/09
Day 26 - February 14/09
Psalm 8
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him...?" (8:3-4a).
God made everything. Everything we see, everything we touch, everything we take in through our God-given senses are His handiwork. He took the time to form every star, every galaxy. His fingerprints are on everything.
I am His handiwork. He loves me. Yet who am I that He's mindful of me? That's been my biggest internal struggle lately. I can comprehend Him dying for the world and wanting to be in relationship with all of mankind...but not with me. How crazy is that. But He made all these things, and He calls me the pinnacle of His creation. Me. Crazy.
God, help me comprehend your love. I cannot do it on my own.
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him...?" (8:3-4a).
God made everything. Everything we see, everything we touch, everything we take in through our God-given senses are His handiwork. He took the time to form every star, every galaxy. His fingerprints are on everything.
I am His handiwork. He loves me. Yet who am I that He's mindful of me? That's been my biggest internal struggle lately. I can comprehend Him dying for the world and wanting to be in relationship with all of mankind...but not with me. How crazy is that. But He made all these things, and He calls me the pinnacle of His creation. Me. Crazy.
God, help me comprehend your love. I cannot do it on my own.
2/13/09
Day 25 - February 13/09
Judges 5
This chapter is a song sung by Deborah and Barak after their victory. They talk about the entire battle and all that happened. At the very end, it switches back to narrative and we are informed that "the land had peace for forty years" (5:31b).
This song is a tribute to all God has done. Once again, everything foretold has happened and God has come through for His people. He never fails them! They become upset with Him and cry out for help when they're in trouble, but EVERY TIME it's in response to their turning from Him. At the end of this ordeal, only again they see His power and turn back to Him, with forty years of resulting peace. My guess is that the next chapter will reveal why it was only forty years.
I'm always so grateful when God releases me from bondage, but then I forget what He has done. It doesn't take me a full lifetime to turn from Him again. I look at the three steps from yesterday, and see them again in my own life. I need to work on breaking the cycle and allowing my life to be holy before Him.
God, please help me break this cycle. Kill this thing inside me that lets me continue to go on sinning, even when I see your great mercy and redemptive powers. I should be so thankful that I never turn from You again! Help me. I cannot do this on my own.
This chapter is a song sung by Deborah and Barak after their victory. They talk about the entire battle and all that happened. At the very end, it switches back to narrative and we are informed that "the land had peace for forty years" (5:31b).
This song is a tribute to all God has done. Once again, everything foretold has happened and God has come through for His people. He never fails them! They become upset with Him and cry out for help when they're in trouble, but EVERY TIME it's in response to their turning from Him. At the end of this ordeal, only again they see His power and turn back to Him, with forty years of resulting peace. My guess is that the next chapter will reveal why it was only forty years.
I'm always so grateful when God releases me from bondage, but then I forget what He has done. It doesn't take me a full lifetime to turn from Him again. I look at the three steps from yesterday, and see them again in my own life. I need to work on breaking the cycle and allowing my life to be holy before Him.
God, please help me break this cycle. Kill this thing inside me that lets me continue to go on sinning, even when I see your great mercy and redemptive powers. I should be so thankful that I never turn from You again! Help me. I cannot do this on my own.
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