August 31, 2018

I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:

TO GUIDE AND PROVIDE (part 2)

Gideon: Beauty For Ashes

Text: Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

III. COMMANDING AND DEMANDING
Judges 6:12,14,16
God believed in Gideon, long before Gideon believed in God and what God could do through him. In Exodus 4:1-12 we observe that Moses had a difficult time believing God, but we see the LORD says to Moses, “…Cast it on the ground…” (Exodus 4:2b). This was in reference to the rod in his hand. Then the LORD said to Moses “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say” (Exodus 4:12). The truth is if we will do what God tells us to do, we will find the power is given to us by God to accomplish his purpose. In Acts 26:16-18, we see Paul is chosen by God to be the apostle of the Gentiles. I love the way our Lord addressed this matter in Acts 26:16, “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee.” If we get up and stand up to the commands and demands of God, He will reveal and supply our every need.

IV. THE CONFIRMATION AND THE REVELATION
Judges 6:17-24
There is no doubt now that Gideon is talking to a power greater than himself, but he just needed to know it is the LORD. So Gideon makes a sacrifice and the LORD received it. And God is revealed to Gideon as He who is peace and He who gives peace.

V. PURIFYING AND CERTIFYING
Judges 6:25-32
Before we attempt to clean up our neighborhood it is important that we first clean up our own backyard. And here we see Gideon casting down the altar constructed by his father and the grove of worship that was beside the idolatrous altar. The men were afraid who went with Gideon, but in this matter Gideon was fearless. Happily Gideon’s father stood beside his son. And when the wicked men of the city called for Gideon’s death, his dad said in essence, let Baal if he is a god, do something about it himself.” And he nicknamed Gideon, “Jerubbaal,” meaning “Let Baal plead.” Gideon a nd his house are now in a right standing with God ready to be used of God. II Timothy 2:21, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”