Immature Faith...Judges 6:14-16

Is it acceptable to 'lay out a fleece' before God in prayer?

The concept of “putting out a fleece” comes from the story of Gideon, a leader in Israel, in Judges 6. When God directed him to gather the Israelite troops to defeat the Midianite invaders, Gideon wanted to be sure it was really God’s voice he was hearing and that he understood His directions. He asked God for a sign to prove that this was truly His will. So he put out a piece of wool overnight and asked God to make it wet while keeping the surrounding dirt dry. God graciously did as Gideon asked, and in the morning the fleece was wet enough to produce a bowl of water when it was wrung out. 

But Gideon’s faith was so weak that he asked God for another sign—this time to keep another fleece dry while making the surrounding dirt wet. Again, God complied, and Gideon was finally convinced that God meant what He said and that the nation of Israel would have the victory the angel of the Lord had promised in Judges 6:14-16. Putting out the fleeces was the second time Gideon had asked for a sign that God was really talking to him and would do what He said He would. 

There are several lessons for us in Gideon’s story. First, God is incredibly gracious and patient with us, especially when our faith is weak. Gideon knew he was treading on dangerous ground and was trying God’s patience by asking for multiple signs. After the first fleece sign, he said, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make one more request” (Judges 6:39). But our God is a merciful, loving and patient God who knows our weaknesses. However, the story of Gideon should be for our instruction and not serve as a model for our own behavior. Jesus said on two occasions that “a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign” (Matthew 12:39; 16:1-4). His point was that the signs He had already given them—His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, healings, and miracles—were sufficient for them to respond to the truth, if truth was what they were seeking. Clearly, it was not.

Another lesson of Gideon’s fleeces is that those asking for signs are exhibiting a weak and immature faith that won’t be convinced by the signs anyway! Gideon had received more than enough information without the sign of the fleeces. God had told him he would have victory (v. 14), and He had responded to a previous request for a sign with a miraculous display of power in fire (v. 16). Still, Gideon asked for two more signs because of his own insecurity. In the same way, even when God does provide the sign we ask for, it doesn’t give us what we crave because our wavering faith still doubts. That often leads us to ask for multiple signs, none of which give us the assurance we need, because the problem isn’t with God’s power; it’s with our own perception of it.

A problem with following Gideon’s example of fleece-setting is that it does not take into account that our situation and his are really not comparable. As Christians, we have two powerful tools that Gideon lacked. First, we have the complete Word of God which we know is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God has assured us that His Word is all we need to be “thoroughly equipped” for anything and everything in life. We do not need experiential proof (signs, voices, miracles) to verify what He has already told us in His Word. Our second advantage over Gideon is that every Christian has the Holy Spirit, who is God Himself, residing in his heart to guide, direct, and encourage. Prior to Pentecost, believers had the Old Testament only and were directed externally by God’s providential hand. Now we have His complete Bible and His indwelling presence in our hearts.

Rather than seeking signs via fleeces, we should be content to know God’s will for us in every situation every day: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16); “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18); “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). If these things characterize our lives, the decisions we make will be in accordance with God’s will, He will bless us immeasurably with His peace and assurance, and there will be no need to put out fleeces or ask for signs.

Commentary by Got Questions.org

Paying Attention to Scripture...2 Peter 1:21

2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 

There are many different interpretations of the Bible and many different human opinions of what the Bible says. Whats important to understand is that we believe the Bible, New & Old Testaments, to be the inspired, infallible and authorative Word of God. Matthew 5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. In faith, we hold the Bible to be Truth! Its our benchmark to how we should live. It defines our purpose to why we're here, to glorify God! Isaiah 26:8 Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. Ephesians 1:14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. 

Seek God's perspective when in doubt. Turn to His Word in the Bible. I once heard a pastor use the following acronym for the word BIBLE. Beautiful Instruction Before Leaving Earth! How appropriate. Its God's instruction manual for us to use daily. Unfortunately, we elect to skip the instructions and attempt to figure it out ourselves. I am guilty of that everytime I purchase something that requires assembly. I first try and figure it out mysekf and I always get stuck. But when I do, I turn to the instruction manual to get it right. Why do I feel that I can do it my self? Am I so proud that I dont need instructions? That's my sin nature speaking. God wants us to turn to His instruction manual and thats His Word, the Bible! But if our sin nature gets in the way, which inevitably will, we know that God is merciful and forgiving through His son, Jesus. Deuteronomy 4:31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors. We can turn to His Word and rejoice!

Father, thank you for your Holy Word, our instruction manual! Direct your Holy Spirit to guide me daily for your purposes! In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!

No Self-Control...Proverbs 25:28

Proverbs 25:28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. 

Merely, shrugging our shoulders and accepting ourselves the way we are is not honoring to God. In fact, God instructs us to stand firm for His truth and purpose in our lives. 1 Corinthians 6:15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? When we accept Christ as our savior, we receive the Holy Spirit and he dwells within us forever to guide us and lead us for God's glory! Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  The bible also tells us in Galatians 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!  In Proverbs 5:21-23 we read "For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,examining every path he takes. An evil man is held captive by his own sins;they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control;he will be lost because of his great foolishness." 

Its clear that we are to live for God, seek Him in all that we do, act according to the Spirit and not of the flesh because we were created to love and honor God with our lives. We were born with our sin nature and destined to death but by God's grace, He sent his only son to die for us on the cross so that we may have eternal life! John 3:16-17 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. We need to learn to discern the truth from the lies of this world. Psalm 119:124-125 I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,and teach me your decrees. Give discernment to me, your servant;then I will understand your laws. 

Bretheren, see God through Jesus today! Start living your life for his purposes and begin enjoying His grace abundantly! 

Father, thank you for your grace, for it is all I need! Thank you for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and His leadership in my life daily! May I bless you today and the rest of my life! In Jesus name, AMEN!

I need to know...Proverbs 3:5

Proverbs 3:5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding

Do you find this verse difficult to see through? Most of us have heard this verse & generally understand the basic meaning behind it but actually doing what Solomon instructs is not easy. To trust means to let go, surrender, have faith in someone or something. In this case, Solomon is telling us to Trust in The Lord with all your heart. What happens when you fall in love? You surrender yourself and give all of yourself for that person. Love is a very powerful force! Wars have taken place because of it. Love makes you act irrationally, that's because you stop acting from logic but from the heart. If faith required logic, we'd be hard pressed in believing some of the wonderful and amazing miracles God performed through Jesus and the apostles. To trust with all your heart is to love The Lord unconditionally as He loves you! We can do this because we were made in his image. We were made to love!

He also tells us not to lean on our own understanding, meaning, dont try and figure everything out in order to believe. We dont always HAVE TO KNOW WHY! I know some of you are thinking, but I should or I deserve to know. Well we dont so stop trying because God tells us so in this verse through Solomon's writings. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

When you feel the need to know something in order for your faith to grow, remember to Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding because there are things that we're just nnot supposed to understand. Remember that Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

He has a plan and its perfect! Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. 

Thank you Father for having a plan for my life, walking by my side and for being there when I need you the most. Even though I may not understand, I will Trust you and Love you! Praise your name always, in Jesus name, AMEN!

Forgiving...AMAZING!...Luke 23:34

Luke 23:34 

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Jesus did the impossible. Not only did he allow himself to be put to death for us, he did something far more difficult. He forgave them. All of them. His accusers. His enemies. The very people who put him to death. He asked God, the father, to forgive them. AMAZING! And we struggle to forgive someone when they talk bad about us. 

God is pleased when we forgive. Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. We are most like the Father when we forgive others because God is a merciful God. Luke 6:36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 

We need Jesus in order to be right with God dating back to when Adam and Eve sinned against God Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. At this point we have been separated from God and deserving of judgement and death. But Jesus made it possible on the cross to be made right with God by being the perfect sacrifice in order for us to be righteous through Christ! Romans 3:22-26 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 

Next time you feel the need to hold a grudge, anger against anyone for any reason, remember that God has forgiven you through His son! 

Father, thank you for being a merciful and forgiving God, washing away my sins by the blood of Jesus at the cross! I am not deserving but you loved me so that you sent Jesus in my place!  I love you Father, thank you! In Jesus name, AMEN!  

Word of God...Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12 

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

There is nothing more powerful that the Word of God. It was what Jesus used to defend himself from Satan in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1-4, 11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. 

Paul describes it as the sword of Truth when talking to the people in Ephesus. Ephesians 6:17.. and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 

We can use His Word not only for protection but to advance His kingdom, lead others to Christ! The scriptures tell us that Jesus is the Word of God. John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 

How blessed we are to know that we have been given a great gift by God! His son, Jesus, our savior!

Father, blessed be your name! Thank you for your son, your Word, your love for us! May your Will renew our spirit and transform us to be like Jesus! In Jesus name, Amen!

Conviction...Luke 6:46

"So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?" (NLT) ( Luke 6:46 ) 

Do you ever get a feeling that God is telling you to do something? That is called conviction. One reason we fail to obey God is because we don't know what God is telling us to do. Mostly because our sinful nature pulls us from our adoration of our Lord. How would I know what He wants you ask? Good question..God already thought of that...His Holy Word called the Bible, is our instruction manual. I once heard a great acronym for BIBLE (BEAUTIFUL INSTRUCTION BEFORE LEAVING EARTH). I believe that the BIBLE was written by the Holy Spirit through the apostles. Its THE benchmark by which man has established his moral standards. Anything you want to know about life is there, you just need to search for it. Just like Google on the internet, the BIBLE has answers for your questions. Knowing this, what do you do with the answer youve been given...OBEY! This is where our sinful nature interferes again...Belief requires Faith! Faith is Trusting in something you Believe in....Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Next time you feel convicted to do the "right thing", check with God's Holy Word, pray for discernment and understanding and OBEY! 

Genesis 27:8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. 

Hebrews 11:8-9 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 

Romans 10:16-17 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Romans 2:8-11 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. 

Father, thank you for your Truth in your Word, for Loving me enough to sacrifice your son Jesus for my salvation. Teach me your will so that I may Obey you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!