WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: ‘In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly’ (Psalm 5:3, TNIV). Expect God to speak to you today. Uncertain future We live in a world where circumstances are not always easy to understand and the future seems uncertain: climate change, economic meltdown, wars and rumours of wars. Today on the news I heard a politician say, ‘Years from now, our children will know that we made the right decision…’ But in seeking to reassure people that his government was taking the right path, he was (unintentionally) highlighting the uncertainty and anxiety in people’s minds. Ifs and buts Gideon lived in similarly difficult times. His words are full of ifs and buts: he has lost faith in God and he doubts God’s faith in him (‘I am the least ...’). God’s words, in contrast, convey only certainty and clarity: ‘The LORD is helping you, and you are a strong warrior ... I am giving you the power to rescue Israel ... I am going to help you! Defeating the Midianites will be as easy as beating up one man’ (vs 12,14,16). God is gracious Notice how God does not directly answer all Gideon’s questions, but he does affirm Gideon’s true identity (‘strong warrior’) and God’s plan for him (‘defeating the Midianites will be easy’). God graciously accommodates Gideon’s request for a sign (v 17) and Gideon responds in worship. Respond: Ask God to remind you today of your true identity in Christ and thank him for the certainty that he is working for your good (see Romans 8:28). http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-08-08