Gideon

I was rereading the story of Gideon yesterday and today (Judges 6-8) and was really struck by how like me Gideon was. When God comes to him, Gideon's first reaction is anger and bitterness:  “Pardon me, my lord, but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lordhas abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” (Judges 6:13) Wow! Isn't that exactly the sort of thing each of us has thought at least once, and struggled with--especially when friends ask us these sorts of questions? Then Gideon doubts God and His power, especially in his own life and with his own weakness:  “Pardon me, my lord, but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15) Man, I've so been there. Then Gideon wants proof: “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me." (Judges 6:17) I'm always wanting proof, and, like Gideon, God is often gracious and gives me proof again and again (He also performs miracles for Gideon in Judges 6:36-40). When God asks him to break down the alters of the people in his town, Gideon does it at night for fear of other's reactions (Judges 6:27). I must say, I do things secretly for fear of others disappointingly regularly (although it's not always bad to do things in secret, it just depends on your reasons--see Matthew 6:3). 

What a beautiful reminder that God can speak to me through Scripture!

Testing

This morning I read an essay by Hugh Ross (in A Place for Truth, edited by Dallas Willard) about how he has read through the entire Bible, testing the validity of every statement (scientific, prophetic, historic). I want to do that. I want to read the Bible over again, with new eyes, testing everything. Doesn't Paul say "Test everything"? (1 Thessalonians 5:21) I want to read prophecies and understand what they mean, what they predicted and what of that has already come to pass, not just say, "Hm, I wonder what that means?", like I have so many times before.

If God really is who He says He is, He's up for the challenge.