March 3, 2024 - Judges 6-9

I wrote, yesterday, about the presence of the Lord and how that removes fear.  Consider these verses (there are many more):  “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).  “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).  “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Be not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”  (Joshua 1:9).  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

The theme continues into today’s reading.  Gideon was fearful but the Lord said to him, “I will be with you” (6:16).  Furthermore, Gideon was instructed to tear down the idolatrous altars and to build an altar to God.  Tearing down and building up; it seems that God’s servants are always tearing down the bad (false worship, sins of all sorts) and building up the good.  God’s instruction to Jeremiah:  “I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10).  In all they do, Israel is to remember that it is the Lord who goes before her and gives her the victory lest she says, “My own hand has saved me” (7:2).  But it was the Lord who would save, and when Gideon was assured of this, “he worshiped” (7:15).  The right response.

Our little band is weak and few,

Like Gideon's band of old,

But we will keep the Lord in view,

And fight with courage bold.

Tho’ Satan's hosts be fierce and large,

Our hearts will never fear;

But steadily upon them charge,

For Christ our hearts doth cheer.

Jehovah God is on our side,

And He is more, more than all,

And since we in His shadows hide,

No evil can befall.   -- Charles Price Jones (1901)