This post is Day 17 in a series of studies about “Surprises”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Surprises – Day 17

Just as the angel wrote to the church in Ephesus, they had lost their first love and had begun to follow idols, which were not doing anything for them, except taking their time, their money and their future! But God had not given up on His plans for His people.

Judges 6:12

When the angel of The Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

The Thought

The account of Gideon is one of my favourite Biblical passages. I always smile at the way he was surprised by the angel and even more surprised by his message.

This happened at a time when Israel was in a mess! They were far from the Lord who had given them such great promises when He lead them out of Egypt. Miracles had become fables in their eyes, and they had forgotten all God’s promises because they had ceased to read His Word.

Just as the angel wrote to the church in Ephesus, they had lost their first love (Revelation 2:4) and had begun to follow idols, which were not doing anything for them at all, except taking their time, their money and their future!

But God had not given up on His plans for His people, so He searched for somebody He could use to change the situation. When the angel appeared to this “mighty warrior” Gideon was not feeling or acting as though he could change his world.

Action

Read the first 12 verses of this chapter of Judges and try to understand the mess that the Israelites were in. Feel the frustration of the Lord when He says You have not listened to Me! (Judges 6:10). Which parent has not felt like that at some time?

Read the verse above and put your name in there, instead of Gideon.

What battle is the Lord asking you to take on in His name and with His supporting army of angels? Dare to ask Him. Pray for how to do what He calls you to do.

Praise The Lord because, just as in Gideon’s time, He has not given up on His plans for His people. There are exciting times ahead.

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