You Care Even for Doubters!
Reading: Judges7
My Verse: "When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped and returned to the camp of Israel and said, Arise, for the Lord has given into your hand the host of Midian" (Judges 7:15).
This story of Gideon is a wonderful example of how much You care for us, especially those of us that doubt Your provision! Gideon early on showed his doubts and need of reassurance. Here they are getting ready for a great battle. You have guided him to hone down his army from a mighty 32,000 men to a mere 300! Gideon and the men remaining had to be wondering how they could possibly conquer a large army with just 300 men!
Then You provide Gideon assurance. You did not expect him to just blindly obey You. You cared that he went into battle with confidence. You guided him on a little recon into the enemy camp where he heard the enemy soldiers speaking of a dream that foresaw their own defeat. Gideon knew immediately that You, LORD God would give him the victory! He was able to return to his camp and confidently follow out Your guidance even when what You told them to do made no sense in man's conventional wisdom! He obeyed You confidently and courageously! And You gave him a great victory!
Throughout scripture You, LORD God provide Your followers reassurance.
One of the better known stories is that of Thomas. When the other disciples told him they had seen You, LORD Jesus, Thomas infamously replied, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it" (John20:25). Eight days later You, LORD God actually give him that opportunity.
You provided Mary, most blessed of women, comfort and assurance by having her be comforted and cared for by her cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. It had to be incredibly difficult for May, being unmarried and pregnant. Her cousin, Elizabeth on the other hand was a well-respected married woman, married to Zacharias, a priest. Elizabeth's pregnancy also was miraculous. This enabled Elizabeth to relate to Mary and be a help to her.
You, LORD God are a loving and caring God. Even when I doubt, You love me and will do what You can to reassure me.
I need not let doubt defeat me or drag me down. Instead it should turn me to You, LORD God. It should keep me from taking You and all that You provide me for granted. It should keep me in Your Word - studying and searching for truth and clarity. So, doubting does have its place and that is keeping me looking to You for my help.
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my god , my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower" (Psalm 18:2).
"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in Him" (Nahum 1:7).
Thank You, LORD God for being a caring God!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Reading: Judges7
My Verse: "When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped and returned to the camp of Israel and said, Arise, for the Lord has given into your hand the host of Midian" (Judges 7:15).
This story of Gideon is a wonderful example of how much You care for us, especially those of us that doubt Your provision! Gideon early on showed his doubts and need of reassurance. Here they are getting ready for a great battle. You have guided him to hone down his army from a mighty 32,000 men to a mere 300! Gideon and the men remaining had to be wondering how they could possibly conquer a large army with just 300 men!
Then You provide Gideon assurance. You did not expect him to just blindly obey You. You cared that he went into battle with confidence. You guided him on a little recon into the enemy camp where he heard the enemy soldiers speaking of a dream that foresaw their own defeat. Gideon knew immediately that You, LORD God would give him the victory! He was able to return to his camp and confidently follow out Your guidance even when what You told them to do made no sense in man's conventional wisdom! He obeyed You confidently and courageously! And You gave him a great victory!
Throughout scripture You, LORD God provide Your followers reassurance.
One of the better known stories is that of Thomas. When the other disciples told him they had seen You, LORD Jesus, Thomas infamously replied, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it" (John20:25). Eight days later You, LORD God actually give him that opportunity.
You provided Mary, most blessed of women, comfort and assurance by having her be comforted and cared for by her cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist. It had to be incredibly difficult for May, being unmarried and pregnant. Her cousin, Elizabeth on the other hand was a well-respected married woman, married to Zacharias, a priest. Elizabeth's pregnancy also was miraculous. This enabled Elizabeth to relate to Mary and be a help to her.
You, LORD God are a loving and caring God. Even when I doubt, You love me and will do what You can to reassure me.
I need not let doubt defeat me or drag me down. Instead it should turn me to You, LORD God. It should keep me from taking You and all that You provide me for granted. It should keep me in Your Word - studying and searching for truth and clarity. So, doubting does have its place and that is keeping me looking to You for my help.
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my god , my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower" (Psalm 18:2).
"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knows them that trust in Him" (Nahum 1:7).
Thank You, LORD God for being a caring God!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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