Choosing to Obey God
“At times I am fearful, nervous, doubtful, and tired. Even so, I know God qualifies me whenever He needs me.”
Judges 6:33-35 (NASB)
Now on the same night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it; and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of this stronghold in an orderly way, and take a second bull and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down.” Then Gideon took ten men from his servants and did as the Lord had spoken to him; and because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night.
When the people of the city got up early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal had been torn down, and the Asherah which had been beside it had been cut down, and the second bull had been offered on the altar which had been built. So, they said to one another, “Who did this thing?” And when they searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash did this thing.” Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has torn down the altar of Baal, and indeed, he has cut down the Asherah which was beside it.” But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal, or will you save him? Whoever will contend for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, since someone has torn down his altar!” Therefore on that day he named Gideon Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he had torn down his altar.
Reflection
God calls us to take steps of faith as we follow Him, and it is easy to become fearful when that step is public or uncomfortable. It is easy to be bold when God leads us to do something easy, but when He commands us to do something hard, we tend to act more like Gideon. We need Him to reassure us that He will be with us through the storm.
Earlier this year, I was Gideon. A good friend of mine, who I’ve known most of my life, passed away a few months ago in a traumatic manner. It hit my wife and me hard, especially since he was the one who introduced us. I realized that this life we had built together existed because of that friendship. Our little girl, and the little one we have on the way, wouldn’t be alive without us having had him in our lives.
All week leading up to the funeral, that idea weighed heavy on my heart. When the day came, I felt like God was going to do something, I just wasn’t sure what. Once it became our turn to greet the family, the first thing my late friend’s mother said to me was that seeing our smiling baby was the bright spot in her dark day. I immediately understood what God was asking me to do. He wanted me to tell the story of how my wife and I met through our friend, and how this baby I had in my arms came from all that.
I didn’t tell his family right then because I was second guessing what just hit my heart. As the funeral was concluding, my daughter began to cry and I had to hold her while I stood off to the side, because that is often the only way to get her to calm down. As soon as I found a place out of the way to stand, people began sharing stories about their memories with him. I was nervous to speak in front of all these people I did not know, especially when I knew there were many who were closer to him than I was and had not yet spoken. I told God, “If You really want me to do this, then help me.” The last speaker finished and my right foot went forward on its own. It was like I tripped forward while standing still, or like someone had pushed me from behind. The pastor locked eyes with me, and I knew that God was telling me to go speak.
After I told the story, my late friend’s mother hugged me, crying and saying how much it meant to know this beautiful life was in part a result of her son. He loved me and my wife enough to bring us together, and that love later resulted in our marriage. I had so many people, both friends and strangers, tell me how that story touched them and brought them comfort in what was otherwise a painful day. I told them I almost didn’t say a word, but God pushed me to.
I’m so thankful that God is willing and able to use me, even though I am not always qualified. At times I am fearful, nervous, doubtful, and tired. Even so, I know God qualifies me whenever He needs me.
Action Steps
God can use you at anytime and anywhere. Keep your heart open for an opportunity to serve someone else, and listen for the hints God gives you toward His plan.
If you are unsure, ask for clarity.
If you are afraid, ask for courage.
If you are lost, ask for guidance.
Wherever we fall short, God will fill in the gaps.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord God, for being with me in this life. Thank You for loving me and for guiding me through the seasons I experience. God, I open my heart to You, in hope that You will use me to further Your kingdom and to show others the love that You have already shown to me. God, I wish to follow You and what You command of me. I am not qualified for the missions that You assign me, but my faith is that You will carry me through each mission. I love and worship You, Lord. Amen.
Now on the same night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it; and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of this stronghold in an orderly way, and take a second bull and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down.” Then Gideon took ten men from his servants and did as the Lord had spoken to him; and because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night.
When the people of the city got up early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal had been torn down, and the Asherah which had been beside it had been cut down, and the second bull had been offered on the altar which had been built. So, they said to one another, “Who did this thing?” And when they searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash did this thing.” Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has torn down the altar of Baal, and indeed, he has cut down the Asherah which was beside it.” But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal, or will you save him? Whoever will contend for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, since someone has torn down his altar!” Therefore on that day he named Gideon Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he had torn down his altar.
Reflection
God calls us to take steps of faith as we follow Him, and it is easy to become fearful when that step is public or uncomfortable. It is easy to be bold when God leads us to do something easy, but when He commands us to do something hard, we tend to act more like Gideon. We need Him to reassure us that He will be with us through the storm.
Earlier this year, I was Gideon. A good friend of mine, who I’ve known most of my life, passed away a few months ago in a traumatic manner. It hit my wife and me hard, especially since he was the one who introduced us. I realized that this life we had built together existed because of that friendship. Our little girl, and the little one we have on the way, wouldn’t be alive without us having had him in our lives.
All week leading up to the funeral, that idea weighed heavy on my heart. When the day came, I felt like God was going to do something, I just wasn’t sure what. Once it became our turn to greet the family, the first thing my late friend’s mother said to me was that seeing our smiling baby was the bright spot in her dark day. I immediately understood what God was asking me to do. He wanted me to tell the story of how my wife and I met through our friend, and how this baby I had in my arms came from all that.
I didn’t tell his family right then because I was second guessing what just hit my heart. As the funeral was concluding, my daughter began to cry and I had to hold her while I stood off to the side, because that is often the only way to get her to calm down. As soon as I found a place out of the way to stand, people began sharing stories about their memories with him. I was nervous to speak in front of all these people I did not know, especially when I knew there were many who were closer to him than I was and had not yet spoken. I told God, “If You really want me to do this, then help me.” The last speaker finished and my right foot went forward on its own. It was like I tripped forward while standing still, or like someone had pushed me from behind. The pastor locked eyes with me, and I knew that God was telling me to go speak.
After I told the story, my late friend’s mother hugged me, crying and saying how much it meant to know this beautiful life was in part a result of her son. He loved me and my wife enough to bring us together, and that love later resulted in our marriage. I had so many people, both friends and strangers, tell me how that story touched them and brought them comfort in what was otherwise a painful day. I told them I almost didn’t say a word, but God pushed me to.
I’m so thankful that God is willing and able to use me, even though I am not always qualified. At times I am fearful, nervous, doubtful, and tired. Even so, I know God qualifies me whenever He needs me.
Action Steps
God can use you at anytime and anywhere. Keep your heart open for an opportunity to serve someone else, and listen for the hints God gives you toward His plan.
If you are unsure, ask for clarity.
If you are afraid, ask for courage.
If you are lost, ask for guidance.
Wherever we fall short, God will fill in the gaps.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord God, for being with me in this life. Thank You for loving me and for guiding me through the seasons I experience. God, I open my heart to You, in hope that You will use me to further Your kingdom and to show others the love that You have already shown to me. God, I wish to follow You and what You command of me. I am not qualified for the missions that You assign me, but my faith is that You will carry me through each mission. I love and worship You, Lord. Amen.
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