Daily Reading: Judges 6
Scripture Focus: Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace. (Judges 6.24)
Devotional Thought: Judges 5, shared the story of the unlikely heroes - Barak, Deborah, and Jael. Today's scripture tells the story of another one: Gideon. When the enemy was plundering God's people, the angel of the Lord came to Gideon and called him a mighty warrior. Gideon thought he was mocking him. After all, he was hiding in a winepress trying to eke out a living for his impoverished family.
But, something changed in the heart of this quiet, fearful, self-doubting man. God came on the scene! Gideon became convinced in his heart that God would use such a one as he. After that encounter, Gideon knew God by a new name: The Lord is Peace, or "Jehovah Shalom."
Shalom means so much more than simply the absence of trouble and conflict. The Hebrew word conveys a sense of "completeness, soundness, welfare, and peace."
As you read this chapter, you will discover what Gideon discovered...
In the midst of turmoil, the Lord is peace.
In the midst of suffering, the Lord is peace.
In the midst of fear, the Lord is peace.
In the midst of doubt, the Lord is peace.
In the midst of a great challenge, the Lord is peace.
In the midst of idolatry, the Lord is peace.
In the midst of uncertainty, the Lord is peace.
Shalom!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for giving me your peace. The scripture says you will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is stayed on you (Isaiah 26.3). Lord, I fix my mind upon you just now and walk in your peace. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 52.1-9
1 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day. 2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. 3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah 4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah 6 The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, 7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!”
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. 9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.
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