Adventure 4
Judges 1 - 7
We see the Israelites faithful, under the time of Joshua, the elders and those who knew the Lord and what he has done for them. But they still strayed from God at times and God raised judges to lead Israel. Time and time again, the Israelites disobeyed and turned to other Gods. So God told them that he would not drive out the remaining nations, and that the other nations would dwell among them.
In the book of Judges, we see the leading of a prophetess named Deborah. A woman leader who led and served Israel. We also meet Gideon, the guy who is famous for his story of the testing of the fleece. God sent these judges for the redemption of the Israelites, to save them from the oppression of their enemies and to deliver them. The Israelites need only to worship and obey God.
Gideon started out as a person who lacked confidence, thinking himself to be the least in his family and of the weakest clan. Ultimately, God greatly used him for the redemption of Israel. One thing I really learn is how God can really use even though we think ourselves weak and lowly. Despite the way we think and view ourselves, our God is greater than our greatest insecurities. He is a God of miracles, and he created us to be.
God does not create junk. It will do us good to remember that. He does not make mistakes.
Liz Robson, Canterbury staffworker, shared this article on her FB today--
ReplyDeletehttp://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2014/01/03/what-i-wish-id-known-reflections-on-nearly-40-years-of-pastoral-ministry/ The article reinforces what Shanice has shared.