My Life Journal Reading for today….
SCRIPTURE
Judges 6:13-14. “But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian. The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have an save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
OBSERVATION
The Lord propels Gideon forward – no looking back. Pay attention to what I’m doing NOW.
APPLICATION
The question Gideon asks is one that is foremost in my mind when I am teaching anyone who is under great stress, oppression, grief, etc. Life can be so hard and the question, “why has this happened to us?” is a common one. This teaching shows me that the Lord called Gideon into a new day. God doesn’t spend a long time explaining the past – God simply sends him. He reassures him with signs that he is acting within the Lord’s protection. And the Lord ushers in a new day.
Sometimes things have been one way for while and then suddenly you realize – wow…it has changed! That happend for us in Guatemala. God doesn’t ask us to understand how or why doors open or close. God asks us to be obedient to what we are being called to do right now. The restraints of the past never restrict the work of God today. God sent Gideon and Gideon said, “yes”. It is humbling and instructive to remember that I can easily miss open doors if I am always looking back.
PRAYER
Lord, you are so gracious. Thank you for this teaching. Please keep my eyes focused on you. Keep my ears tuned to your voice. Please don’t let me miss what you are inviting me into right now. Thank you for your faithfulness and love.
YIELD
Make decisions today that “yes” to now.
Life in the Deep End 