DCLM Daily Manna Thursday, March 31, 2022
TOPIC: Doubting Gideon
TEXT: Judges 6:33-40
33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
34 But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
36 And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,
37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.
38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.
40 And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
KEY VERSE:
“Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.” – (Judges 6:37)
DCLM Daily Manna Thursday, March 31, 2022 MESSAGE
Leon McKenzie wrote, “We come into the world with question marks in our heads… which are never fully erased.” We are not alone. Sarah doubted she could have children in her old age. Moses doubted he could save Israel out of Egypt’s bondage and Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection.
Gideon also doubted God’s call on his life. In preparation for his commission to deliver Israel, he wanted a proof from God that He would save Israel through him. He put a fleece of wool on the floor and asked God to allow the dew fall on it only while the ground around it would be dry. After this was done, he asked God to confirm his commission by reversing the miracle with the fleece now dry and the ground wet.
Gideon’s test is not a model for New Testament saints. He was the Old Testament version of doubting Thomas. It took the angel from God a while to convince him that he was the right man for the job. Then Gideon got thousands of volunteers when he sent messengers to the tribes for help in the war. Gideon still hesitated until yet another sign. He was asked to visit the camp of the Midianites and hear one of the soldiers narrate a dream that indicated he and Israel would win the war, before he moved.
We have a better covenant with better promises and provisions than the Old Testament saints. Above all, the Holy Spirit dwells and abides in us to lead and direct in all things. God still speaks to His children today through various means including the Scriptures and the Spirit’s inner witness. We must not hesitate after knowing His will, direction and purpose for our lives.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Don’t be a doubting Thomas.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Nehemiah 11-13
