“So Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said— 37 look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” 38 And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece together, he wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me, but let me speak just once more: Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece; let it now be dry only on the fleece, but on all the ground let there be dew.” 40 And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, but there was dew on all the ground.”
Judges 6:36-40
there’s still a call
to follow after Christ.
Sometimes we knock on
heaven’s door with
eager anticipation
at its opening, but,
what’s on the other side
doesn’t look quite right
fear sets in, this
can’t be it, so,
we back away.
Courage compels us
we ask for a sign
knock on the door
one more time.
The Presence within
bids us follow Him
giving us a choice –
accept with grace
humbleness in place
or run away
in disappointed distaste.
Faith of a mustard seed
moves mountains
when we step out
in obedience
faithfulness is rewarded
and we find ourselves
at home.
~Marcie Bridges
©15 April 2019
God never told us life would be easy. Somehow the world believes Christians have it easier than they do. But we know better. We have weren’t born just yesterday and didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. No, we know our Christian walk is no picnic at times.
I have family members aching to have a day of boredom. I have friends just surviving barely making it through each moment. I have friends struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Our own family has its own barriers and walls that need tearing down. As much as we’d like the world to see us as perfect people, we know there is no such thing. Only God is perfect.
I’ve longed for a breakthrough in several situations over the past several months. Weary beyond comprehension at times, I feel a weight upon me so heavy I can barely breathe.
But I’m learning slowly, oh so slowly, that the way to a breakthrough is not in my own strength and power, but in the power and might of the Lord.
When Gideon was approached by the Angel of the Lord, he was so unsure he was speaking with an angel he asked if he could bring an altar of worship to the Angel. When he had done this, the Angel disappeared and then the Lord continued to instruct Gideon in what he needed to do.
So, Gideon does what is asked of him. He obeys and brings down the altar of Baal and builds a new altar to God. And because of his faithfulness in obedience, God then gives him another task.
You would think Gideon would just say, “Yes, Lord,” and go about doing what he was asked. But instead, Gideon is not sure he hears the Lord correctly, so he sets out 2 fleeces as a sign that God has spoken to him (read the verses above to see the specifics of these fleeces).
God in his loving, patient way, honors Gideon’s requests. Why?
- First, because Gideon asked humbly. He didn’t try to twist God’s arm or ask in anger. He said, “Please, Lord, if I have found favor in your sight…Do not be angry with me, but let me speak just once more: Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece”… Gideon’s request was not a demand, but it was a quiet plea that God would make clear to him what He wanted him to do.
- Second, Gideon accepted God’s answers. He didn’t try to analyze it or think it over forever and a day. He simply trusted that God had answered him and then set off in obedience to do what God called him to do.
I’m learning that when we are looking for a breakthrough, God honors our obedience to Him. We don’t have to understand the why’s and how’s or any of the instructions we are given. We just need to have faith and trust in God’s answers for us. Then go and do what He has asked of us.
We don’t always see when the breakthrough happens, but when it does, we will know His peace.
From My Heart to Yours,
Marcie
When the breakthrough happens, then yes, we will know God’s peace, love and grace. The Lord knows how much I’ve needed this in the recent days . . .
Marcie, I love your poems and your insights. Would so appreciate you being a regular in commenting on my blog site: https://marthaorlando.blogspot.com Lots of people sharing insights and inspirations here!