Point Them to God

Read Judges 8:18-23

Gideon captured the two kings.  He asks them what kind of men were they who you killed at Tabor.  The kings answer, “As you are, so were they, each one resembled the son of a king.”

Gideon says they were my brothers, the sons of my mother.  As the Lord lives if you had let them live I would not kill you. They had killed, so Gideon killed them.  Gideon brought justice to these wicked kings.

The men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.” Sadly, the men of Israel placed false hope in Gideon.  The believed the victory was of Gideon.

Gideon says, “I will not rule over you nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.”  Gideon had it right.  It was his place to rule the people, but God’s.  He pointed the men of Israel back to God.

How often do you point others back to God, when offered praise?

Lord lead us away every false way.  Give us a desire for YOU to rule over us.  May we each be like Gideon and point others back to God.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

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For God did not give us a spirit of FEAR, but a spirit of POWER, of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND. 2 Tim 1:7 NKJV

Our Words Matters

Read Judges 8:13-18

Gideon returns from battle. He has captured the two kings of Midian.  He catches a young man from Succoth and interrogates him to learn the names of the elders.  Pay back time.

Just as Gideon said he returned to teach the men of Succoth and Penuel a lesson.  He took the 77 men of Succoth and whipped them with briers.  He tore down the pillar at Penuel and killed the men of the city.

How is your follow through? Do you do what you say you will? Or do you make empty threats?

God is a person of His word.  What He says He does.  We are His ambassadors.  Therefore, we ought to mean what we say as well.  Gideon did.

Lord, thank you we can trust you to accomplish what you say.  Thank you for not changing your mind on a whim.  Help us to be like you – people of their word.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Love Meets Needs

Read Judges 8:4-12

Gideon and his men were still in pursuit of the Midian kings and exhausted.  Gideon asks the men of Succoth for bread, but they said no because the Midian kings were not yet captured.  Gideon says he won’t forget their treatment of him.  In fact, Gideon says he’ll be back to tear their flesh with briers!

Moving on, Gideon asks the men of Penuel but they answer the same way as the men of Succoth did. Gideon replies, “When I am back in peace I will tear down this tower.”

Now the two kings Zebah and Zalmunna and their 15,000 men felt secure in their tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah. Gideon captured the kings and killed the whole army.

Notice how both Succoth and Penuel people would not help their fellow man?  Have you ever missed an opportunity to help another person?

Succoth responded in fear.  They wouldn’t help unless their kings we’re captured.  Penuel said the same thing.  Gideon gives us another clue why they responded that way by the mention of tearing down the tower.  It is possible the men of Penuel were too busy with their worship of false gods.

What prevents you from helping others?

Not enough time, money, energy or desire?

Too busy focusing on your own issues?

Don’t feel qualified?

Think there’s always someone else who can help?

Don’t think one person can make a difference?

Afraid of what others will think?

Think giving to others robs from you?

We are called to love one another.  Jesus took it further saying love your enemies.  Love meets needs.  If you see a need, that’s your opportunity to meet it.

Lord thank you for being willing to help us. Give us a desire to help others because you have helped us. In Jesus’ name Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Offended by Their Pride

Read Judges 8:1-3

The men of Ephraim complained about Gideon not calling them to battle.  Gideon reminds them “God has delivered into your hands the princes of Midian.”  The men of Ephraim calm down.

Why does Ephraim overlook the victory? It is because their eye was on themselves.  They wanted to take part in the glory afterward.  Just look at their words.  “Why have you done this us…” The men of Ephraim are offended because they were not asked to fight as well.

When do you find yourself offended? Stop, thank, and pray.  What could the feeling of offense be telling you? If the men of Ephriam had done that, they would have recognized their pride.  It’s hard to celebrate others victories when all the focus is on yourself.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the reminders about pride.  It’s such a subtle thing.  Help us to recognize it, deny it, and turn back to you.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Proverbs 27:9 (Which friend are you looking to?)

Help for unequally yoked marriages! http://ping.fm/LIOPW

Strengthened for the Task

Read Judges 7:15-25

And so it was….

When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshipped God.  Remember in verse 9 God told Gideon to go against the Midians. But if you’re afraid take your servant and go to the enemy camp to listen to what they are saying to each other.

Gideon heard the enemy talking about how they would be destroyed and it was because of Gideon.  God was behind it all, just like He said He would be.   This realization strengthened Gideon for the task ahead.  He went back to the three hundred men with him.  “Arise for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.”

Gideon heard the phrase “the sword of Gideon” from the enemy’s interpretation of the dream. So he used that to his advantage when they planned their attack.  He split the three hundred men into three groups of one hundred each.  He told them to do as he does.  Blow your trumpet when you hear me blow mine, he says.  Then everyone say “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.”

The three groups placed themselves strategically around the camp of the Midians.  They blew their trumpets, broke the pitchers, held their torches and cried out “The sword of the Lord and Gideon!”

The result? The Midian army ran, cried out, and fled. Gideon sent messengers throughout all the mountains of Ephraim to come against the Midians and sieze them at the watering places.  So they hunted down and captured the Midians.

Moral of the story: Nothing is impossible with God. God does what He promises.

Gideon who was a fearful man was turned into a mighty man of valor just like the Angel of the Lord said. And the children of Israel were delivered from the Midianites by God, just as He promised.

Lord you really are amazing.  Nothing is impossible for You.  Thank you for calling us to take part in the miracles you perform.  Thank you for using fearful people in your plan.  In Jesus’ name Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

An Extra Dose of Encouragement

Read Judges 7:9-14

Lord says “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand. But if you are afraid go with your servant to hear what they are saying then your hands will be strengthened.”

Gideon and his servant Purah go down to an outpost to listen.  So we know Gideon was afraid.  The thing they noticed was how numerous the enemy was.  But as they listened to a man tell his dream, they heard “a loaf of barley bread tumbled into camp it came to a tent and stuck it so it fell overturned and collapsed.”  The companion listening to the dream said “this is nothing else but the sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, a man of Israel. Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp!”

When the Lord speaks what He says is done.  Have you ever needed a little extra encouragement?  Gideon did.  God being gracious supplied the evidence Gideon needed in order to carry out God’s purpose.

Lord thank you for knowing what we need before we can even ask.  Thank you for loving us so deeply.  Thank you for making us able to carry out your plan.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade.  Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; & give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:37