God’s grace is never maxed out. Israel was stuck in sin, too mired to even see God’s grace, and yet He was working behind the scenes, creating a deliverer for His people. In times that we are stuck in the fog of life, we can rest assured God is working behind the scenes, ensuring our salvation and rescuing us through His ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ.

People who are more influenced and shaped by their culture and common sense than the Word of God will sadly relate to God wrongly and not enjoy His amazing grace, abundant provision, and miraculous victories, but instead introduce devastation and tragedy into their lives. But God... in His great mercy, sent His Son, Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God, to be our Substitute and Deliverer and make a way for us to be reconciled to God through His death and resurrection.

People who are more influenced and shaped by their culture and common sense than the Word of God will sadly relate to God wrongly and not enjoy His amazing grace, abundant provision, and miraculous victories, but instead introduce devastation and tragedy into their lives. But God... in His great mercy, sent His Son, Jesus, who is the image of the invisible God, to be our Substitute and Deliverer and make a way for us to be reconciled to God through His death and resurrection.

This week, as we continue in the Book of Judges, we see how pride promotes self-reliance and self-preservation. When someone tries to live under the weight of self-preservation (as we see in the life of Gideon) they’ll pursue vengeance, commit idolatry, live a life of hypocrisy – all of which will eventually lead to personal and communal death. But God... sent Jesus - the only leader to start well and finish well. Let’s look to Him and Him alone!

In part two of the story of Gideon, we see God intentionally intervening and humbling the Israelite army in order to demonstrate His power, through them, for His glory. Only God is faithful and able to deliver His people. Only God can bring about victory while deploying weak and broken vessels to further His mission - so that we can experience more of Him, through Jesus, in profound and powerful ways - for His glory and our joy.

God calls Gideon, "O mighty man of valor" and raises him up to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. God promises Gideon His provision, power, and presence. Throughout the story of Gideon, we are reminded of how even in our small and weak faith, God is faithful to keep His promises. Who God IS and who we ARE does not depend on how we feel, but on the finished work of Jesus. Praise God!