Thursday August 27, 2020

Today’s Reading: Judges 6:11-16

Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 

Judges 6:14

Meditation: God knows us better than we know ourselves. The Angel of the Lord appears to Gideon as he is secretly threshing wheat in a wine vat, hiding from the Midianites. How peculiar it is that at this time God addresses meek and fearful Gideon as ‘mighty warrior.’ Gideon describes himself as the youngest member of the weakest family of Israel’s weakest tribe. But he is seen as more in the eyes of God. The Lord already knows that Gideon will be with Him as He delivers Israel from the Midianites.

What is the difference between how Gideon views himself and who God knows him to be? The difference is found in God. While Gideon rambles on about his identity within his family, tribe, and nation, God describes Gideon’s identity in relation to His nearness to him. “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior,” God says. With God, Gideon will become capable of taking part in the great and mighty things God will do for Israel. Gideon’s identity is not found in either his present circumstance or his association with other people. His true identity is realized in God’s Presence. It is revealed by God Himself.

Who has God created you to be? The answer will never be found apart from your Creator. He has designed you to be a testament of His glory and splendor, and has great purpose in store for your life as long as it is lived with Him. Like it was for Gideon, our identity is found in God, and our purpose is revealed by God. Knowing ourselves comes through getting to know Who He is.

Prayer: Almighty God, I am grateful to be called Yours. I am thankful that You have created me with purpose, and are patient to mold and shape me by Your Spirit to give You glory. I pray that as I draw nearer to You Lord, You would show me how I can live a life that honors You. Help me to see Your plan for me more clearly, and to trust You even when I do not know what’s ahead. I pray these things in Jesus’ Precious Name. AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Acts 17:1-15; Judges 6; Job 36