Corona Devo 567

I'm truly enjoying the Book of Judges and "Gideon's Guide to Following God". That's nobody's term but my own, but it fits because Gideon was a lot like us: unsure of himself, worried about his "worthiness" in serving God, and he was human--he got tired and he even got even once in a while. (Like I said, he was human.) But Gideon kept God at the center of his heart and actions. If we can follow his "guide" in being a follower-of-God, then his example (although a couple thousand years old) becomes surprisingly timely as we seek to fight our battles in the Lord's name today.

Gideon then crossed the Jordan River with his 300 men, and though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy. ~Judges 8:4

though exhausted...

Can I get an Amen? Anyone exhausted today? ...Already?

Physically exhausted? From the pace of life. From the pain of life. From the lack-of-sleep or lack-of-peace of life?

Spiritually exhausted? From the sorrow of circumstances. From the hurt, abuse, lack-of-hope or detachment-from-God of life?

Emotionally exhausted? Like we just can't do it one more day. Our heart is dry, our joy is gone and we're tired of it all.

...and though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy. ~Judges 8:4

We are not giving up today. We might be exhausted, but it ain't over. And we are not done completing God's assignment for us.

Gideon wasn't done either. He was exhausted because he and his (only) 300 men had fought a battle and from there they kept-in-motion as they pursued the two kings that had fled the city that they conquered. They had been going non-stop.

Feeling a bit like Gideon or one of his men today? Exhausted, but continuing to pursue?

Sometimes we just need a little help...maybe some sympathy and maybe some nourishment: for our spirits and our stomachs. Like I said, Gideon was human.

When they reached Succoth, Gideon asked the leaders of the town, “Please give my warriors some food. They are very tired. I am chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”

(6) But the officials of Succoth replied, “Catch Zebah and Zalmunna first, and then we will feed your army.” ~Judges 8:5-6

Not exactly what we want to hear when we are at the point of exhaustion, is it?

Do we have people in our lives who consistently push us to "prove" ourselves to them before they will accept us, affirm us, assist us? 😕

Do we (even subconsciously) wait for others to "prove themselves" to us before we will fully accept them, affirm them or partner with them? 😞

Neither of these are right.

Gideon didn't think it was right either, but he stuck to his plan, and warned of "pay-back" later. (Have you ever threatened your enemies with thorns and briars?...)

So Gideon said, “After the Lord gives me victory over Zebah and Zalmunna, I will return and tear your flesh with the thorns and briers from the wilderness.”

(8) From there Gideon went up to Peniel and again asked for food, but he got the same answer. (9) So he said to the people of Peniel, “After I return in victory, I will tear down this tower.”

(10) By this time Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with about 15,000 warriors—all that remained of the allied armies of the east, for 120,000 had already been killed. (11) Gideon circled around by the caravan route...taking the Midianite army by surprise. (12) Zebah and Zalmunna, the two Midianite kings, fled, but Gideon chased them down and captured all their warriors.

(13) After this, Gideon returned from the battle by way of Heres Pass. (14) There he captured a young man from Succoth and demanded that he write down the names of all the seventy-seven officials and elders in the town. (15) Gideon then returned to Succoth and said to the leaders, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna. When we were here before, you taunted me, saying, ‘Catch Zebah and Zalmunna first, and then we will feed your exhausted army.’” (16) Then Gideon took the elders of the town and taught them a lesson, punishing them with thorns and briers from the wilderness. (17) He also tore down the tower of Peniel and killed all the men in the town.  ~Judges 8:7-16

I am not sure exactly what to say about some of the details within this story except that it is true (it's the Bible!), and that it reminds us once again that God uses real people to carry out His plans (even if we do go a little rogue on Him sometimes).

Gideon wasn't perfect, but he kept on keeping on, even when he was exhausted from doing so, and even when others gave him no credit or encouragement.

That stinks.

But no one needs to tell us how it feels, do they?

But even so, we are not giving up today. We might be exhausted, but it ain't over. And we are not done completing God's assignment for us.

God worked it out for Gideon. (Gideon circled around by the caravan route...taking the Midianite army by surprise. (12)...the two Midianite kings, fled, but Gideon chased them down and captured all their warriors. ~Judges 8:11-12). And God will work it out for us.

We don't need to "prove" our faith to anyone, and no one needs to prove anything to us.

We just need to live it.

Even if we are tired today, and even if we are exhausted...

...and though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy. ~Judges 8:4

Keep chasing. Gideon was a great guide on how-to follow God.

Blessings,   

sarah     

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com