Church in the Peak

Gideon // Neal Garratt

October 11, 2020 Church in the Peak
Church in the Peak
Gideon // Neal Garratt
Show Notes

Neal looked at Gideon and the lessons that we can learn.

After Joshua had died the children of Israel did not follow Jehovah and did not carry out all the things God had told them to do. They got themselves into big trouble!

Judges 2 vs 10-11
God places 12 Judges over the children of Israel to try and get them to return to him and trust him again. Gideon is one of these 12

Judges 6 vs 7 -24
I want to look at v12-21 Gideon’s encounter with the angel of the Lord and to see what we can learn from this encounter.

v12 – What an opening. This should be a such a blessing and encouragement to Gideon but he almost ignores this and speaks back to the angel of the Lord.

v13 – Questions! This is so much like us when God comes to us to encourage us or speak to us! Why am I in this situation? Where have you been? Why do I feel abandoned? In fact in this case as we have already seen it was their own fault! They had turned their back on God and abandoned him! This is so much like us – we go our own way with our own ideas, get in a mess and then somehow its God’s fault for abandoning us! Can you hear yourself saying these things!

But the angel of the Lord is patient

v14
Once again a great encouragement to Gideon but again he answers back!

v15
This sounds like us again.

BUT…….
God chose Gideon because it was not about Gideon’s strength or might – It was about God’s power working through him. It’s the same with us. He wants to use you and has chosen you “The Lord is with you”.

v17
This is so much like us – God speaks and we say show me a sign – Word to give at Church: I’m nothing, I’ve had a bad week, I’m not good enough, Is it me, Is it the enemy, is it my imagination? Lord give me a sign? If someone else brings a word about water – I will bring this as it’s about a river – I just need confirmation!  And yet so often God is gracious and does exactly that!

The Angel of the Lord is incredibly gracious and patient and says “I will stay here until you return!” However, I’m not sure if he realised just how long Gideon was going to be – 3 to 4 hours maybe. Finally Gideon realises that this is an Angel of the Lord and he believes him!

But later on in this chapter he does the same again - v36-40
This is a picture of how patient God is with us. He tells us what he wants us to do and we argue and prevaricate and tell him why we can’t, how weak and useless we are and then ask for signs to confirm it all and keep him waiting and yet he is patient and kind and loves us all through it!!

My encouragement is that Gideon is like me – full of fear, full of self and many reasons why God can’t use me, questioning and with so little faith in God. Always wanting confirmation and a sign just to make sure!!

Note: It’s not about gifting – It’s about character – Can God use you where you take your little faith and let God use it for his glory!

And yet Gideon is found as one of the names in Hebrews 11 which is the chapter in Hebrews about Great Examples of faith!!

Hebrews 11:32
Be encouraged – God is patient and kind and loves us so much that he will speak to us more than once, he will speak to us through others, through the bible, through circumstances and through the gifts and will even answer our prayers about fleeces as he wants to work with us and overcome the enemy just as Gideon did in Chapter 7 and 8!!

Ephesians 3:20
It’s not about your power – It’s about God’s power – Whatever you think you can achieve in God- He can and will achieve more than we ask or think!

Questions:
1. Can you see elements of you in Gideon and is it helpful to see God use him?
2. Does this story help us to understand God’s heart towards us and his infinite patience!
3. What can I learn from Gideon’s story that can help my walk with God?
4. Has anyone got a recipe for roasted go