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"A Divine View of Potential" by John M. Nielson
Judges 6:11 Then the angel of Adonai came and sat under the pistachio tree in ‘Ofrah that belonged to Yo’ash the Avi‘ezri. His son Gid‘on was threshing wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from Midyan. 12 The angel of Adonai appeared to him and said to him: “You valiant hero! Adonai is with you!” 13 “Excuse me, sir,” answered Gid‘on, “but if Adonai is with us, then why is all this happening to us? And where are all his miracles our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Didn’t Adonai bring us up from Egypt?’ For now Adonai has abandoned us and handed us over to Midyan.” 14 Adonai turned to him and said, “Go in this strength of yours and save Isra’el from the hands of Midyan. Haven’t I sent you?” 15 But Gid‘on answered him, “Forgive me, my Lord, but with what am I to save Isra’el? Why, my family is the poorest in M’nasheh, and I’m the youngest person in my father’s house!” 16 Adonai said to him, “Because I will be with you, you will strike down Midyan as easily as if they were just one man.” 17 Gid‘on replied, “If indeed you favor me, would you mind giving me a sign that it is really you talking with me? 18 Please don’t leave until I go and return with a gift and present it to you.” He replied, “I’ll wait till you come back.”
19 Gid‘on went in, cooked a young goat and made matzot from a bushel of flour. He put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, brought them out to him under the pistachio tree and presented them. 20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and matzot, lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” Gid‘on did so. 21 Then the angel of Adonai reached out with the stick he was holding, touched the meat and matzot, and fire shot up out of the rock and burned up the meat and matzot. Then the angel of Adonai disappeared before his eyes.
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Gideon was an unlikely leader-especially in his own eyes. Reading Judges 6, we see Gideon overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. He wanted God to prove who He is and that He is present. Probably all of us have shared some of those feelings. Yet, God was not put off by Gideon’s doubt. He understands, and He gave Gideon evidence of His presence. Gideon also did not run from God. Instead, he continued the conversation, remaining open to God’s message and obedient to God’s guidance.
God saw greater potential in Gideon than Gideon saw in himself. God called Gideon a “mighty warrior” and told him to march into battle. After all, Gideon would not go alone. God was sending him and would accompany him.
We too must be defined by what God sees in us, not what we see in ourselves. We must not wait to obey God: Until we have grown stronger. Until we have greater experience. Until we have more knowledge. Until we have proven our abilities. Instead of seeing our deficiencies, we need to focus on God’s sufficiency, and go in the limited strength we do have, confident that His presence and blessing is enough!
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Hymn for Today: "Little is Much When God is in It" by Kittie L. Suffield
1. In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.
Refrain:
Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.
2. Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.
Refrain:
Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.
3. When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
"Welcome home, My child, well done!"
Refrain:
Little is much when God is in it,
Labor not for wealth or fame;
There’s a crown, and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.
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Thought of the Day: God may give us more than WE can handle, but never more than HE can handle.[John M. Nielson].
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Please Pray: That many people in the Dominican Republic will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKadosh.
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Please Pray: That many people in the Dominican Republic will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKadosh.
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