Experiencing Peace
And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD,
Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel
of the LORD face to face. And the LORD said unto him,
Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
Judges 6:22,23
Read Judges 6:17-24
God’s Word found entrance into Gideon’s heart. The Lord broke through his
unbelief. The Word of God is powerful. Gideon did not ignore or dismiss
God’s message, but asked the Lord to stay while he left momentarily to get
a gift. He realized that it was the Lord Himself who visited him. When anyone
realizes the Lord has had dealings with him or her, they cannot just lay
His Word aside. Sometimes various hurdles may have to be overcome, but
in the end we must give our attention to what God says. Has this ever happened
to you?
The Lord accepted the proposal made by Gideon and waited for his return.
When Gideon offered his gift, the Lord consumed the meat and the unleavened
cakes with fire. By this revelation, Gideon was instructed in the majesty
and power of God. Yes, the Lord remained the same God as He was in
the past. As a result of this display of God’s power, Gideon felt his sinfulness
and insufficiency before the Angel of the Lord. That should always happen
when we see God’s greatness. Those who rely upon the Lord will have
small thoughts of themselves while having lofty thoughts of God. You will
see yourself as a sinner before the Almighty.
In the verse before us, God, through an angel, gave Gideon the reassuring
message that he would not die because he saw the angel. The Lord revealed
His grace to Gideon. In response, Gideon built an altar where he declared:
Jehovah shalom, the Lord is peace. Yes, Gideon experienced peace with God.
Do you know that peace? That peace has been purchased through the blood
of the Lord Jesus.
Thought: Why is it so necessary to see our sins?
Psalter 419: 2 (based on Psalm 65)
A mighty stream of foul transgression
Prevails from day to day;
But Thou, O God, in great compassion,
Wilt purge my guilt away.
Blessed is the man whom Thou has chosen,
And brings to Thee,
That in Thy courts, in Thee reposing,
His dwelling place may be.
