What is it about the past that looks so good? We often refer to the past as "the good old days", and more so as we age. But, memory is selective; time has a way of filtering out the nastiness of the past, and primarily remembering the good. Nevertheless, the past looks especially good amidst present-time crisis and challenge.
"The angel of the LORD appeared to him (Gideon) and said to him, 'The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.' Then Gideon said to him, 'O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." (Judges 6.12-13)
Little did Gideon know, when visited by an angel, that one of the greatest chapters in Israel's history was about to unfold through him. Instead, he saw a bleak present-day reality against the backdrop of God's mighty works in Israel's past.
The present almost always pales in comparison to the past, which is why we are told that it is unwise to make the comparison (Ecclesiastes 7.10). What we so easily miss is the potential of the present for the future. Would Gideon have asked the angel such a question if he knew what was about to unfold? Surely not.
What opportunities and breakthroughs do we stand on the threshold of? What are we in the midst of today that is pregnant with possibilities? What amazing thing is our Father about lead us into in our journey of faith? Bleak as today's prospects may appear to be, they may be cleverly disguised as faith opportunities.
Gideon was the least likely candidate for great things: "He said to Him, 'O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house.'"(Judges 6.15) Quite often, God uses the least and the weakest to accomplish His great purposes. His work isn't based on ABILITY, but AVAILABILITY. As such, the key factor is, "Surely I will be with you" (Judges 6.16)
What will our great God accomplish through us today, as we are available to Him?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
"The angel of the LORD appeared to him (Gideon) and said to him, 'The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.' Then Gideon said to him, 'O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." (Judges 6.12-13)
Little did Gideon know, when visited by an angel, that one of the greatest chapters in Israel's history was about to unfold through him. Instead, he saw a bleak present-day reality against the backdrop of God's mighty works in Israel's past.
The present almost always pales in comparison to the past, which is why we are told that it is unwise to make the comparison (Ecclesiastes 7.10). What we so easily miss is the potential of the present for the future. Would Gideon have asked the angel such a question if he knew what was about to unfold? Surely not.
What opportunities and breakthroughs do we stand on the threshold of? What are we in the midst of today that is pregnant with possibilities? What amazing thing is our Father about lead us into in our journey of faith? Bleak as today's prospects may appear to be, they may be cleverly disguised as faith opportunities.
Gideon was the least likely candidate for great things: "He said to Him, 'O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house.'"(Judges 6.15) Quite often, God uses the least and the weakest to accomplish His great purposes. His work isn't based on ABILITY, but AVAILABILITY. As such, the key factor is, "Surely I will be with you" (Judges 6.16)
What will our great God accomplish through us today, as we are available to Him?
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:08 AM
1 Comments:
At 11:13 AM,
Misty Dorman said…
I like that we don't have to be great - - because He is. We just have be willing. I love that He invites us to be part of His great plan!
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