God Initiates
And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was
in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon
threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
Judges 6:11
Read Judges 6:1-11
An angel of the Lord came to Gideon while he was busy working. Gideon was
secretly threshing grain to preempt the army of the Midianites, who would
come at harvest time to plunder and destroy the fruit of the land.
Gideon lived during a difficult time for the nation of Israel. An enemy threatened
the nation’s very existence. Every autumn, when the enemy entered to
seize control of the land, the Israelites were denied a harvest. It was a very
dark time for the people of God.
It was during this time that the Angel of the Lord was sent to Gideon. The
Lord was going to initiate deliverance for His people. Gideon was making
some preparations and working, when the Angel appeared. However, the
particular work Gideon would be called to by the Lord would be even more
important—it would bring Israel’s deliverance from the enemy!
The Lord God initiated a new era during this difficult time in Israel’s national
life. This is often the way He fulfills His will. All Old Testament history
was preparatory for the deliverance that the Lord would give. Everything
points to the coming of the great Saviour and Deliverer of His people—Jesus
Christ. When this is kept in focus, life is never hopeless.
You may expect great things from God, the Almighty. He is willing and able
to bring about a new beginning in your life. This takes place by grace alone.
He gives a new perspective and hope. God comes to you with His Word so
you may experience a new beginning in your life. Has this already taken
place in your life?
Thought: Do you think the days we live in now are difficult?
Psalter 362: 2,3 (based on Psalm 130)
I wait for God, the Lord, and on His word, My hope relies;
My soul still waits and looks unto the Lord, Till light arise;
I look for Him to drive away my night,
Yea, more than watchmen look for morning light.
Hope in the Lord, ye waiting saints, and He Will well provide,
For mercy and redemption full and free With Him abide;
From sin and evil, mighty though they seem,
His arm almighty will His saints redeem.
