One Year Bible, April 26

JUDGES 6:1-40                                                                                                                    
THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL: The Arabian, the Midianites and the Amalekites. The Arabians were known as "wild men", descendants of Ishmael. The Midianites were a seducing, cursing people who hired Balaam. Their name means "strife". The Amalekites were the first tribe to come against Israel's God, in an attempt to steal their miraculous water supply. They were a vicious, bitter foe who tortured their enemies.

MIND OF THE FLESH: The mind of the flesh is a destroyer in cahoots with the devil and the world-spirit, which is the antithesis of God. It says they "destroyed the increase of the earth." They left NOTHING behind. They were compared to "locusts" - (135,000 of them) which is the picture in Revelation of "the plague of sin and death" loosed by Satan on the world to corrupt and destroy and devour. Sin is deadly and brings strife, chaos and confusion. The church cannot take a neutral position while the world is being eaten alive.

GIDEON: Cowardly, yet called.  Angel of the Lord (visible manifestation of God) called Gideon "mighty man of valor" (fearless one) Gideon reacted in fear to the Presence of God. Gideon's call began at home, where he was proven.  Gideon received a change of name, which signified a change in nature and character (Jerubbaal - "with whom Baal contends"). Amplified Bible 6:34, "But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with Himself and took possession of him."

THE DEW ON THE FLEECE:   The fleece on the threshing floor is symbolic of Israel being sheered by the enemy on God's floor. Dew is a sign of God's favor and is a type of the Holy Spirit. Dew on the fleece is the Holy Spirit on Gideon. Dew on all the ground is the Holy Spirit poured out on all flesh. Fleece is not for guidance, but for confirmation. We are led by the Holy Spirit and the Voice of God.

"FLESH IN A BASKET" AND "BROTH IN A POT": Symbolic of the Body of Christ, the church.

RESPONSE:   I should mention "Jehovah-shalom" (6:24) Gideon's altar. This refers to the God Who makes Whole. Gideon was made complete, with nothing missing, nothing broken. "Shalom" is the Hebrew word used to describe health, happiness, quietness of soul, tranquility, prosperity and security. JEHOVAH-SHALOM is the answer for the LOCUSTS the Destroyer and Devourer).  Above all else, God's peace IS the prevalence of ORDER.

LUKE 22:54-23:1                                                                                                                
SPIRITUAL FAILURE AND RESTORATION:  Under pressure: Jesus was faithful to confess that He is the Messiah. Peter failed to confess Jesus before a lowly servant girl.   Peter had earlier confessed, "You are the Christ of God." - and now said he didn't know Him. How did that happen? There are reasons we fail God and betray Him:
(1) Not submitting to the hard teachings of Scripture. Peter contradicted Jesus when he told Jesus that He didn't have to suffer.  (Mark 8:31-32).
(2) When we don't deal with and repent of our independence. Peter believed that even though the others may fall away, he would NEVER.
(3) We grow spiritually "sleepy". Peter slept when he should have been praying in the Garden with Jesus.
(4) We respond to pressure in the flesh. Peter was fighting when he should have been submitting (and lobbed off a servant's ear!) and compromise our witness.

PETER'S "CONVERSION": (Luke 22:32) The rooster crowed and Jesus looked at Peter and THEN (22:61-62):
(1) "Peter remembered the Word of the Lord".
(2) "Peter went out and wept bitterly." (conviction of sin with Godly sorrow and repentance)

RESPONSE:   What comes out under pressure is usually the hidden stuff in our hearts. Peter's doubts came to the surface. Jesus' goodness came out. Not putting the Word into our hearts leads to failure. Not teaching our hearts to go to God and depend on Him without fear - also leads to failure. Not praying will definitely lead to failure.

PSALM 95:1-96:13                                                                                                               
There is no author listed, but Heb 4:7 quotes Psa 95 as "in David".

INVITATION TO WORSHIP: Sing, make a joyful noise, give thanksgiving, worship, bow down, kneel, hear His voice, sing a new song, Bless His Name, proclaim His salvation and deliverance, declare His glory among the heathen. Give Him glory, bring offerings, fear Him. Come into His courts (presence). Be glad and be joyful.

PROVERBS 14:5-6                                                                                                               
In other words, a man who lies is a LIAR, not just a man who lies. A scorner or scoffer lacks the capacity of recognizing Truth.

RESPONSE:  I'm sure there are many, many other ways to worship God in the book of Psalms, but these are a good start! We could add dance, jump, leap, skip, clap, lift up our hands, BUT all of these imply GREAT IRREPRESSIBLE JOY.