Luke 8:1-21
In this parable of the seed being sown, Jesus says, “Be careful therefore how you listen. For to him who has [spiritual knowledge] will more be given; and from him who does not have [spiritual knowledge], even what he thinks and guesses and supposes that he has will be taken away.”
When people do not have spiritual understanding, they can’t perceive when the Spirit of God is moving. Even when signs, wonders, and miracles are taking place in your church or community gatherings – they still do not get it. The Messiah Himself walked the earth to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out devils – and people still did not see it. Even the religious leaders did not see who He was as they looked into His face.
It takes humility to receive a revelation of spiritual matters. Spiritual matters are not always understood by human understanding or self-discovery. They are mysteries that God uncovers for those who seek Him from the posture of faith, reliant obedience.
Judges 6-7
5. Gideon
The fifth judge mentioned is Gideon. A significant amount of time is between judges, for after a deliverance, Israel would experience God’s help and serve Him. After time passes, a generation or two, the human nature tends to wander away from God into the sin of the world where people live. Israel has done evil in the sight of God, so God delivered them into the hands of the Midian for seven years. In Judges 6:7, the children of Israel cried out to God, and God answers their cry.
When you are called on by God to minister to someone else, it is often in response to a cry someone made to Him.
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, calling him, “Mighty man of valor!” Gideon didn’t seem like a mighty man of valor.
I find Gideon’s conversation with the angel interesting. Gideon had heard about the miracles of their fathers. Because he didn’t see miracles happening while the Midianites were oppressing Israel, Gideon assumes that God has forsaken Israel.
Gideon knew God as a deliver of the Hebrews out of Egypt.
Gideon saw the current need for deliverance.
Gideon asks why He has allowed this to happen with Midian.
God answers, “I’m sending YOU, Gideon (Paraphrased).”
In verse 16, the Lord says, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” There is unity when God is at the head.
In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon puts out a fleece to receive a sign from God. This is not how we are to find direction from God under the new covenant where the Holy Spirit is in the heart of every believer.
In chapter 7, we read the historical account of how God whittled down Gideon’s army from 4 to 1 to 450 to 1. Only God can get the glory in this story! Are we willing to be placed in a place of need in order to give God glory?
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