Read: Isaiah 57:15; Judges 6:13,14;7:9-15; Joshua 14:10-12
What problems or enemies are you facing today? What has made you feel defeated and discouraged? Is your faith wavering? Do you feel outnumbered? Are you afraid to do what God is asking you to do? Perhaps today is the time to take a stand; because like Gideon; God is coming to you in this moment and saying, “The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior!” Sometimes we, like Gideon in todays’ scripture, fall into the same trap of seeing our bad circumstances and feeling God doesn’t love us or has failed to keep His Word. Therefore, we might answer: “Who, me?” “If you are with me then why am I going through all this?”
God called Gideon a mighty warrior, but that was not who he was at first. It was who he would become—with God’s help. God looked at his potential rather than his weaknesses. That is what God is doing now if you will walk in faith and do what He is calling you to do. The Lord challenges us, “Go with the strength you have... for I am sending you!”
May God help us, like Gideon, to conquer our fears by trusting Him completely. Gideon trusted God completely. He'd seen enough to be convinced God was with Him. That's what God asks of us, too. Jesus tells us, "Don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ (Matthew 6:31 (NLT) Can we trust God to provide for us and be convinced that He will supply our needs? Gideon was also obedient. When God instructed him to go, he went - even though he was afraid. Gideon demonstrated that courage is not the absence of fear; courage is being afraid but proceeding anyway because God said so.
Judges 7:15 says, "When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped.” For Gideon, that was the time for boldness. “He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.” He gave every man a torch, with instructions to put the torch inside a clay jar. Every man was also given a ram's horn trumpet. Then Gideon told them, "Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do." (Judges 7:16-17). Gideon quickly exhibited essentials of an effective leader by reassuring confidence in the army, communicating the instructions clearly and setting a positive example for them to follow. All this served to build Gideon’s faith in God and made it impossible for Gideon and his army to take credit for the victory. Gideon has now become a Mighty Warrior!
It takes courage to enlist in the Lord's army as exemplified by Gideon. God had to build Gideon’s faith. Gideon needed to clearly understand in a practical and experiential way that God was Israel’s ultimate deliverer and that he was to be God’s faithful and obedient instrument of deliverance. What humanly impossible situations or circumstances are you facing where you need God to show up? What would it look like for you to focus on God getting the glory in your story rather than on you worrying, fretting, and trying to figure it out on your own? Remember that the story of Gideon in today’s scripture, is a great example of just an ordinary man who faced fear and overcame it with God's help. He learned to trust God and became a man of impressive courage—a Mighty Warrior. Will you do the same today?
God’s going to do wonderful things with your life in this new 2020 decade. Have faith, knowing “It’s not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord.” Amen!
Alex Agbogla
Prayer Points
Thank God that you are alive to partake in this year’s fasting program.
1 John 1:9 - Confess any known and unknown sins.
Bring sincere repentance unto the Lord regarding any hidden sin that may hinder the move of God during and after this 21-day prayer and fasting
Decree that no plan of the enemy shall hinder you in this 21-day fasting program.
Psalm 85:6 – Lord God Almighty revive me both spiritual and physically this year and decade in Jesus’ name.
Isaiah 57:15 – Holy One, revive my courage this year and the decade ahead in Jesus’ name.
Isaiah 57:15 – In Jesus’ name, Ancient of Days revive our (PPT) courage this year and the decade ahead.
Judges 6:14 – God of Gideon, revive (spiritual and physical) me with divine strength for this year and decade in Jesus’ name.
Judges 6:14 – God of Gideon, revive (spiritual and physical) our church with divine strength for this year and decade in Jesus’ name.
Judges 7:9-11 – Jehovah Nissi, with Your assured presence, help me to triumph over the enemy in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously).
Judges 7:9-11 - God of Hosts, help my household to triumph over the devil and his agents in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously).
Judges 7:12-14 – Omnipotent Father, constantly remind our pastoral and leadership team of Your assured victory and presence at all times. (pray this seriously).
Judges 7:12-14 - Holy Spirit, daily remind me of my position in You this year and the decade ahead. (pray this seriously).
Joshua 14:12 – God of Caleb, let the anointing that rested on Caleb rest on me this year.
Joshua 14:12 – Jehovah, unleash the spirit of boldness that was upon Caleb on our church, pastoral staff and leaders.
Jehovah Nissi, fight my battles (mention them) for me this year and the decade ahead.
Pray for the persecuted church globally
Join the Prayer Conference Call at 8:00 pm this evening.
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