Tag: God’s strength
Thankful for Grace (again)!
Scripture reading for February 9th: Numbers 11-14
Key Scriptures: Numbers 14:17-19 “Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generations.’ In accordance with Your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as You have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.”
The Israelites were in rebellion against the Lord’s command to go in and take their promised land. Moses prayed after God spoke of destroying them and making another people through Moses. He prayed that the Lord’s ‘strength’ would be displayed! This ‘strength’ was forgiveness of sin and rebellion and continued patience with His people!
Overflowing Thanksgiving: Thank God for His Strength that makes sinners alive from death! “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved!” (Ephesians 2:5)
Mighty Warrior!
Scripture reading for March 11th: Judges 6-8
Poor self-image and discouraging self-talk are common symptoms of a life out of touch with the Lord. It is so easy to focus on our lack and inabilities. We always seem to magnify our weaknesses, see only the flaws, and are quick to blame them on someone else. Sometimes, we simply rehearse them over and over and stew in the negativity.
For seven years the Israelites had been under attack by the Midianites. They cried out to God for help and He sent them a prophet. The prophet told them about God’s mighty power in delivering them from Egypt and His warning not to worship the gods of the Amorites. They had not listened to the Lord!
God then sent his Angel to Gideon and he found him hiding in a wine press, threshing grain. The Angel’s first words to Gideon: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!” (Judges 6:12) Gideon’s first response was not one of faith. He believed that the Lord had abandoned them. This messenger sent Gideon on a mission to deliver Israel. (Judges 6:14) Gideon protested that his clan is the weakest in Manasseh and that he is the weakest of all!
The angel had told him to use the strength he had–little or great! God would be with him and that would make all the difference in the world. God sees each person as special and has a job that they can do. He specializes in taking weak people and infusing them with His strength. When they choose to believe His Word, nothing shall be impossible to them! (1st Corinthians 1:25-29)
As Gideon prepared to deliver Israel, he gathered an army together, but God reduced it from 32,000 to 300! He took away their weapons and gave them torches and pitchers! He told them to break the pitchers and wave the torches and shout! (Judges 7:13-20) Gideon won a great victory with 300 men and a healthy trust in God!
With God on your side, there are more for you than against you! “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!”