Learn From Gideon, 50

~ Gideon Left a Legacy ~

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 are discovering practical lessons for living the Christian life today.

Scripture  ~  “But there’ll be no darkness for those who were in trouble.  Earlier he did bring the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali into disrepute, but the time is coming when he’ll make that whole area glorious—the road along the Sea, the country past the Jordan, international Galilee.  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.  For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—light!  Sunbursts of light!  You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy.  Oh, they’re so glad in your presence!  Festival joy!  The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.  The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—all their whips and cudgels and curses—is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian.  The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days!  For a child has been born—for us!  The gift of a son—for us!  He’ll take over the running of the world.  His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness.  His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.  He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom.  He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going with fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always.  The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this (Isaiah 9:1-7, The Message).

Learn From Gideon  ~   Long after Gideon was gone from this life he was remembered, in fact he is remembered today such as in this series of 52 posts. 

1. As a teenager I heard a saying which I have never forgotten: “Don’t sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate.” 
2. Many are familiar with the concept of not letting the urgent drive out the important.
3. The Christian martyr Jim Elliot is known for his many pearls of wisdom recorded in his personal journal.  The best known is: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose.”  
4. Jesus spoke to this: “Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works’” (Matthew 16:24-27).

Challenge For Us  ~  If you would die today, what lasting legacy would you leave behind?

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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