Gideon was a Promise Keeper

 

 

Judges 8:4-9

 

And Gideon came to Jordan and crossed over, he and the 300 men who were with him, exhausted yet pursuing.   So, he said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”  And the officials of Succoth said, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?”   So, Gideon said, “Well then, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will flail your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.”   And from there he went up to Penuel and spoke to them in the same way, and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered.   And he said to the men of Penuel, “When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”

 

Most of us hold men who keep their promises in high regard, and we are in good company for God loves men who do as Gideon, hear from God and obey his commandments.  We do not see many men today that keep their promises, and when we do we hold that person in high esteem.  

 

You and I know that the Scriptures are clear, that our ways and our thoughts are not at the same level as God, not even close, so often God looks and sees something in a person that no one else sees.  Let us be clear no one else was calling Gideon a mighty warrior, including Gideon, or his brothers or dad.  But God was, and God handpicked Gideon and allowed him to test God before he was willing to obey.

 

It makes me wonder how many of God's chosen people, those who are called by His name, have been called for a task that seems totally out of their ability or gift mix, so they pay little attention to God’s calling on their lives.

 

Tomorrow we will see that Gideon kept his promise to the men of Succoth, and Penuel, and we who have been protected by the grace and mercy of God have come to a time where that protection allows us to experience the persecution that many in other countries have experienced.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice