Then Gideon said to God, "If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning, but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised." Judges 6:36-37
If you are a parent, aunt, uncle, or caregiver for a child, you know the million-dollar question that is asked whenever you give them the instruction of what to do: "Why?" I am confident that all parents and caregivers of children have heard this over and over again! You have probably at least said at least one time: "Because I said so!" In saying this, you are appealing to your faithfulness as a parent or caregiver. You are, in essence, saying, "Have I not earned your trust as a parent? Have I not proved my faithfulness that I care for you and have your best interest in mind?" The same is true with God. When He gives us instruction or commands, we can be confident in His character. He has always been faithful to us, and He will continue to be faithful.
God gave Gideon a clear call in Judges 6: Rescue the Israelites from the people of Midian. Along with the call God promised, his presence, power, and peace. When he was given this call, Gideon was still a little bit hesitant. He said to God, "If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning, but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised" (verses 36-37). God could have been angry that Gideon wanted further proof of God's calling, but instead, God granted this request. Gideon put a piece of fleece on the threshing floor, and the next day, the fleece was wet even though the ground surrounding it was dry. Then, Gideon made another request. This time, he put out a piece of fleece on the fleshing floor and asked God to prove this calling to him by making the ground wet but the fleece dry. Once again, God granted his request. God was more than willing to prove His character.
God is faithful, my friends. How do we know? He has proved it time after time in our lives. So, take some time right now to remember God's faithfulness and all He has done for you. He has proven Himself, and therefore we can live lives full of faith in Him.
Moving Toward Action
What current situation are you worried or fearful about? Take some time to reflect. As you think about that situation, have you focused more on your fears and concerns or God? What can you do this week to intentionally set your focus on Him and your faith instead of your fear? Turn to Him instead. After all, He is in control of everything, including your situation.
Read Judges 6:33-40 (NLT)
Soon afterward the armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east formed an alliance against Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel. Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded.
Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.
Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
