7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” Judges 7:7When I wrote the title for this post, I couldn't help but think about the movie 300. But even though it sounds so Hollywood-like, imagine 300 men marching against "The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples who had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore." They were MANY MANY people, and God sent only 300 men. But He didn't need any more. He told Gideon that there were way to many people. God only needed 300 men. Who he tested before sending out. He needed men who are alert, and willing to do as he says. Willing to do as he does.
At first Gideon couldn't believe that God would want to use him to save Israel. He was a simple man, with a simple life. Sound familiar? A lot of times we want God to use us, but when it comes down to it, why do we doubt Him so much? We aren't perfect, we lack so much, and yet God would use us. Gideon even tested God, to see if it was Him truly who wanted to send him out. TEST GOD?!?! Yes!! And We all do that. "God please send me a sign, to know it's really what you want." We love to put God to the test. Why?
Today my pastor talked about faith. I think we lack so much of that. Our modern lives consume so much of who we are, that we have no idea what God wants from us or even when he speaks to us. We don't know him, because we don't seek him. When the church started, the apostles and the first followers could be easily used by God, because their faith was strong. They not only believed that one day something will happen. The were convinced of its truth and they knew how to work for God to make these things a reality. They were not afraid of letting God use them. They knew what God wanted, because they knew who their God was. And this doesn't have to change. God still wants to communicate with us as he did with them. But it's up to us. What are you willing to do, what sacrifices are you willing to make.
Our lives are so consumed by ourselves, we want God to do everything for us, but we aren't willing to allow Him to command our lives. This week I heard a preacher in the radio say: "We have to make God, ADONAI". Adonai means Master, Lord, Owner. God owns us. He bought us when he shed the blood on that Cross. We are slaves of Freedom. As confusing as that might sound, it's very simple. He explained that we were slaves of sin, of death and darkness. Then Jesus came along, he bought us with his blood and now we are free, but we are also slaves of Light, of Love. We are Children of God. As our father, just like a father is the head of the house, he is the head of the House. The King, in His Kingdom. A father knows what's best for his children, a master knows what's best for his servants. For God to become Adonai, we have to let him rule over our lives. Not think Woe is me, but know that if God wants you to face an army of millions, with just a 300 men, you will not just be an army with 300 men, but you will be an army WITH GOD, of 300 men. God was, is and forever will be. He knows the plans he has for us before we were made. He knows what will happen before we take each step. So why do we still doubt the great plans he has for us?
My encouragement today is to Always Trust the Lord. He is Adonai, he is our master, our lord, our owner. He has great plans for us, if we have a willing heart, he will surely open the way for us and use us.
If you are struggling today with this, you don't know what God wants for you, or have no idea what to do, start with the first step. Prayer. Surrender all of who you are to God. He Created you, and He knows with what purpose He did so. Why doubt? Let the one who knows it all take over, and lead the way. Like a father leads his children, Our father in Heaven will surely lead us to Him.
Be blessed and be a blessing!
