Learn From Gideon, 43

~ Be Humble ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we will discover practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Scripture  ~  “Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.’  But Gideon said to them, ‘I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you’” (Judges 8:22-23).    

Learn From Gideon  ~  Be careful of man’s praises—and how you handle them. 

1. Gideon exercised humility and obedience.
2. God wants us to humble ourselves before Him and to recognize the source of all strength and accomplishments.  “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).  “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
3. Gideon understood that it was God who gave him the victory.  He knew God had raised him up for this purpose—from a coward threshing grain in a winepress to God’s leader at a critical point in Israel’s history.  He knew he had no strength of his own. 
4. God uses weak things (a coward) to confound the strong (the mighty Midianite army). 

Challenge For Us  ~  Are you able to stay humble at times of victory? 

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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