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The voice of truth

The voice of truth
Judges 6:1-14.

“I am doing lent from apps,” a friend said. Then, a few days later: “I’ve felt so assured of God’s love...”. Then, a few more days later: “Hey Sam, I’m getting baptised!”

In today's world, there are so many voices, but it’s incredible the peace, assurances and even victories we find every time we listen to One Voice - God’s voice of truth.

The passage begins with a pattern seen throughout the book, that of Israel’s struggle with sin (4:1, 6:1, 10:6). This time, as a consequence, God allows the Midianites to attack Israel. But the Midianites were as cruel as a plague; they would invade the land, ruin the crops, steal all the livestock and leave nothing. So the Israelites cried out to God for help (6:6), and He sent Gideon, a very inadequate man who struggled to see God's faithfulness. God sends that Gideon, but God first speaks truth into Gideon’s identity and reality before Gideon takes the fight for victory.

  • His Identity
6:11-12. Gideon is a wheat farmer and the least in a family from the weakest clan (v15).

But The Lord, through His angel, calls a ‘least-weakest farmer’ a “mighty warrior” (v12). Haha, God does have a good sense of humour! But there is more to that. In saying, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior”, The Lord identifies Gideon in Himself. The Lord names Gideon a mighty warrior after His name, the Mighty Warrior who saves (Zephaniah 3:17). Later, in 6:34, we see how God does this - by His Spirit. Gideon spends time to know God (v17) and finds the peace of God’s presence (v24).

Gideon’s assurance of victory came from trusting God and knowing who he is in God (6:12).

  • His Reality
6:13-14. Gideon is a man in despair - a hope deferred. He knows who God is - and that He has been faithful in the past, but at present, it does not feel so: “But if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders?” (v13). He is not quite sure if God will rescue them.

But the Lord said to Gideon, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (v14). Everything God does is by His Word - His promise, and Gideon learns this. “If you will...as you have promised...(36). And that is what happened (38)” (6:36-40).

Gideon’s strength and strategy for victory came from trusting God’s Word - His promises. (6:14, 7:2,7).

Our lives, as Believers, are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3) - fully identified with Him. And as God changed Gideon’s identity and spoke into his reality, God continuously does that in our lives today through the Holy Spirit as we make time for Him.

Reflect & Pray
In what area might you have tuned in to conflicting voices, doubts and fears? And what might God’s Voice of Truth be saying?
Thank you, Faithful Father, that you still speak your truth to our hearts. May we root in what You say and find peace, assurances and victories, in Jesus’ name, amen.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.
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