This post is Day 12 in a series of studies about “Gideon”, I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Gideon – Day 12

The Lord said to him, Calm down! Do not be afraid. How many times in the New Testament did Jesus tell us to be at peace? But then on another occasion He told us He had not come to bring peace but a sword! How do we reconcile these verses?

Judges 6:23

The Lord said to him, “Calm down! Don’t be afraid. You will not die.”

The Thought

The Lord understood Gideon’s fears, but didn’t sympathise with them, instead He commanded him to be at peace and not be afraid.

How many times in the New Testament did Jesus tell us to be at peace? He even told the storm to be at peace (Matthew 8:26). But then on another occasion He told us He had not come to bring peace but a sword! How do we reconcile these two verses?

He brings an inner peace to all who choose to follow Him, and the sword He left with us is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).

Later he gave the disciples His peace. He offers that to us too. We must choose to live in His peace and not with the worries that the enemy would try to put on us. We use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God to fight the enemy and keep him out of our lives. He is the one that brings fear.

Paul wrote to Timothy telling him to be brave and move into his calling. God didn’t give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Action

Listen to the voice of God speaking to you today, ordering you to be at peace and not be afraid. Spend time seeking His presence and allow His peace to envelope you.

Use Bible verses (the sword of the Spirit) against the enemy in whatever way he comes against you.

Pray for The Lord’s peace to surround you, and for your fears to be banished in His name. And pray for His help to put all your trust in Him. Pray for those around you who are afraid of God.