Don’t Find Yourself Fighting Against God

Synopsis     Judges 6:22-31     6/15/2018

Gideon became fearful after the encounter with the angel, thinking that seeing an angel face to face might be a harbinger of his imminent death. God assured him that he was safe. He gave Gideon specific instructions on his first mission, which was to destroy the idols in his father’s house.

He destroyed his father’s idols in the night, when he could not be easily observed. The desecration brought an uproar to the village. Upon discovery that Gideon was the culprit in destroying the idols, the villagers demanded his death for offending the so-called gods. However, Gideon’s father Joash protected Gideon from the wrath of the clan. Joash famously said, “If he [Baal] is god, let him act for himself”.

Joash Recognized God in Gideon’s Actions

When someone is following God there is a discernable difference about their behavior. They are motivated with a  surety that is beyond confidence. In this angelic visitation, Gideon had seen into a world that most people only ever speculate about.

Joash recognized that something had changed for Gideon and that it had to do with God. He deferred the wrath of the people by pointing out that if Baal were truly a divine, then he wouldn’t need people to defend him.

Don’t Want to Find Yourself Fighting Against God

It was similar in the time after Jesus’ ascension. His disciples had experienced the realm of the unseen. They had been filled with the Holy Spirit. And so they preached, proclaimed and healed fearlessly. At one point, the Sanhedrin debated how to respond to the growing movement of Christ followers.

A wise member pointed out to the other members of the council that persecuting the disciples would do not good. If God was not with them, the movement would die out. But if God was with them, then the council might actually find itself resisting God’s plans and purposes.

It’s so easy for me to think my understanding of God is all there is – that is, of course, why it’s my understanding God. It’s limited.

But the thing I can’t know is how limited. It’s a dangerous thing to think I have a hammerlock on the truth. It’s a new day. I need to leave room for God to show me a little bit more today and each morrow.

“But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Act 5:39