A Lesson From Gideon - Breaking Strongholds

"That night the LORD said to him, “Take your father's bull, and the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it and build an altar to the LORD your God on the top of the stronghold here, with stones laid in due order. Then take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah that you shall cut down.” So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night." - Judges 6 vs 25 - 27 (ESV)

Today I want to encourage you all to stand strong and take courage from God's word as we look to the close of one of the toughest years in history and the opening of a new one.

In Judges 6, God calls Gideon to deliver his people, the Israelites, from the hands of the Midians. And I'm quite sure we know well how that ended. Gideon won through the hand of the Lord using only three hundred men.

The verses above are important for us to consider today. When God calls us to the forefront of doing great exploits for him, like Gideon we have to work at getting rid of certain things in our lives, whether they be big or small. Gideon would have never been able to win against the Midianites unless he was able to obey God in the small things. God asked him to remove the alter of Baal and the Asherah pole that belonged to his father.

Gideon obeyed, therefore he was able to accomplish greater things in the years that lied ahead. Can we do the same? Many of us can't move forward no matter how much we wish to do what the Lord has called us to, simply because we haven't dealt with certain issues in our lives. God is calling us to work those things out, not with our own capabilities but with the strength that comes from His Grace. As long as we believe, as Christians every single one of us are called to accomplish God's will in our lives for His Glory.

It's  not easy to rid ourselves of certain things, in the long run of life we become addicted to things that holds us back from God's calling in our lives. But daily we must come before the Father and seek His hand in bringing us through. Consistent study of God's Word, Prayer and accountability is necessary to walk away from temptation and the sin that brings death.

I encourage you, like Gideon today, get rid of those things that hinder and hold you back from what God is asking you to do. You will break strongholds in your life when you take those things that hinder and use it as an alter of sacrifice to God. Your alter of sacrifice can be seen in your worship, your giving, your forgiveness of others' wrongs against you and in the way you serve God and those around. You do not do these things on your own, you do it by His Grace and His Mercy that flows through you, that whilst being blessed you become a blessing too.

So, I urge you family, get rid of the sin and the things that hinder, and like Gideon, you will do greater exploits for the Lord. Honour Him with your lives and Bless Him with your worship for He is Worthy to be Glorified.

Much Blessings,

Shane  

NB: Don't forget to leave a comment or email us. We would love to hear from you.

thepassionatebeliever@gmail.com