Scripture to Read: Judges 6:25–40
God immediately put Gideon to the test in Judges 6:25–27. God told him to take two bulls and tear down the altar of Baal and to cut down the Asherah and to use it as wood for a burnt offering to the Lord. Gideon was fearful, so, he did it at night with the help of ten men from his servants. The next morning, the men of the city were ready to kill Gideon, but Gideon’s father, Joash, challenged the men and told them that if Baal was a true god, then he could come against Gideon, and the men listened. After this, the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the sons from the east gathered together and camped in the valley of Jezreel. They came to plunder the nation of Israel again. But God planned to use Gideon, and God’s Holy Spirit came upon Gideon (Judges 6:34). Gideon blew a trumpet and the Abiezrites were called to follow him, along with the Israelites from Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali. They all came together to follow Gideon. Gideon was still unsure and he asked God for two more signs to assure him that God would deliver Israel through him as God had promised. Gideon set out a fleece and asked God to put dew only on the fleece and to keep all of the rest of the ground dry, and God did so. Then, Gideon asked God to do just the opposite the next night, and God answered. Gideon was ready for battle. God wants us relying on Him in the battles we face (Ephesians 6:10–18). He is our armor.
Challenge & Application
How did God test Gideon and what did God teach him through the test?
How does God supply us with all we need for the battlefield we enter each day? (See Ephesians 6:10–18 for help.)
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!