Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Understanding His True Plan
Judges 6:11-24
v14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
          
            Within our world, we are often consumed in what we are doing, or worried about how to deal with our present that we forget that we have to trust in God to move forward. We constantly question Him and think that we know what is best, even though our understanding is far from it.  I know that in my life I am often overwhelmed with difficulties whether it is in school, friendships, or family. Yet through His teachings, I have realized that we must have faith to find our path. In Judges 6:11-24, it presents the story of Gideon, who had a great amount of faith in God. Gideon was just a young timid Israelite who was called upon by God to defeat the Midianites that were attacking Israel and to guide the Israelites away from idolatry. When Gideon first was asked to do this task he questioned and God said, “why has all this happened to us”? We as people often do this, we doubt the works of God even though we know in our hearts that it is not right. The vulnerability within us consumes us causing the waive in our faith. So, Gideon wanted to make sure that it was God who was asking Him, so he offered a sacrifice to prove that it was Him. Once Gideon was assured that it was God, he knew that it was his responsibility to save the people of Israel. Though Gideon was only one person he managed to have faith in God to defeat Midianites. He rallied only 1/3 of the troops and reduced the army even more by seeing who would drink the water like dogs or be civilized. He did this so that the Israelites would see the power of the Lord. Then when attacking Gideon told the soldiers to smash the jars and sound the trumpets. This way the Midianites thought that they were under attack and started to go against each other. They defeated the Midianites without even using weapons, truly showing the power of God.
              Therefore, the underlying message is that God is telling us is that we should not doubt Him. Everything that He does there is a purpose, the reason why the Midianites where attacking was because God put them there so that the Israelites will realize that He is the one true God. Thus, we have to trust in God, and trust in His ultimate plan and know that everything does happen for a reason, it is His reason.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, let us not be fixated on the harsh realities of the world, but trust in you, that you will help and protect us through anything.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God has the most perfect timing and sometimes we must be patient for it to unravel.

Ashley Ajay, St James Marthoma Church, New York
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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