TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 19:6-21
People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. - Luke 13:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
It’s common for weddings to be followed by a special banquet where the couple, their families, and guests celebrate the joyous event. Some receptions are large and elaborate, others are simple and private, but either way, wedding celebrations are special occasions. Part of the reason why they’re so special is that they point to the greatest banquet of all, the great wedding feast of the Lamb.

The “Hallelujah Chorus” in today’s passage records the great roar of anticipation for this wedding feast (v. 7). The image of God and His people bound together in a marriage relationship is frequent in Scripture (e.g., Isa. 54:5; Eph. 5:32). In the ancient world, the bridegroom came to the bride’s house on the wedding day, and Revelation 19:6-8 pictures that glorious time when the risen Lamb comes for His bride.

Notice how this bride prepares herself. She has been given fine linen, which was quite costly. We’re told that this represents righteous acts. It’s important to grasp this. The righteous acts are given to the saints, or believers. This recalls Ephesians 2:10, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” It’s easy to focus so much on grace that we forget that good works are also important. These righteous acts don’t make us acceptable before God, but they are a fitting response to a life that has been redeemed by the Lamb’s blood.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
To receive an invitation to the Lamb’s wedding supper is the greatest honor of all. As believers in Jesus Christ, our grateful response to this invitation is to dedicate our very lives to righteous acts in His service.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Revelation 21:1-22:6
All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. - Psalm 72:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
What a glorious scene we behold in today’s reading! The old heaven and earth pass away into one glorious new creation that fully reflects God’s glory. The new Jerusalem is in some mysterious way both God’s people and the place where He dwells with them (v. 3). This is a picture of perfect communion and worship. This restores what was broken by the Fall, and fulfills the deep hunger in our souls to worship God. This glorious future is sealed by the Alpha and Omega.

In the midst of this scene, it’s surprising to find judgment (v. . But the appearance of Christ’s bride, His faithful followers, necessarily involves judgment of those who reject Him. God’s glory always includes both blessing and judgment. The repeated references to the Lamb also remind us that the new creation is only possible because of Jesus’ death on the cross and the victory it won.

With the final removal of evil, we behold the celestial city in more detail. Notice that the city comes down from heaven (v. 10). This emphasizes once again that the final blessed kingdom is a gift of grace from God. The precious stones and pearls used to describe the city indicate that its glory surpasses even the most beautiful objects found in the old creation. Such brilliance is beyond imagination! The mention of the twelve tribes (v. 12) and the twelve apostles (v. 14) reveals the unity of Israel and the church. The detailed measurements of the city indicate that it’s constructed according to the perfect plan of God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Worshiping the risen Lamb with heavenly multitudes can seem far removed from everyday life. But in fact, they are integrally connected. Our attitude and practice of worship impacts the way we relate to the people in our lives. Worship is not just about the hereafter; it’s also about the here and now.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Judges 20:1-28
But the Benjamites would not listen to their fellow Israelites. - Judges 20:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Imagine going to the doctor and discovering that you have a cancerous tumor. The doctor believes that the tumor is operable, and that he has the ability and skill to remove it completely. Instead of doing surgery, however, he announces that the cancerous cells have the right to grow just like all other cells, and he's going to leave the tumor alone. If a doctor said such a thing, you would immediately seek another physician! Yet it can be tempting to leave spiritual cancer free to grow, with the result that it will battle the healthy part of the body.

As all the people did what was right in their own eyes, the religious structures collapsed, morality crumpled, and today we see that the people of Israel ended up fighting each other. In response to the grievous sins committed by the men of Gibeah, “all the Israelites from Dan to Beersheba and from the land of Gilead came out as one man” (v. 1). We have seen very few instances in the book of Judges of Israelite unity. This meeting demonstrates that Israel was capable of working together to deal with problems; how tragic that it took the sin at Gibeah to inspire this cooperation.

Israel first sent emissaries to invite Benjamin to deal with the sin in their tribe. If Benjamin had been willing to deal with this sin, they could have been spared the consequences of the civil war that followed. But they stubbornly refused to turn over the men of Gibeah (v. 13).

In an echo of Judges 1:1, the Israelites finally seek the direction of the Lord (v. 18). And again God directs that Judah should lead the Israelite attack. These battles get more attention in the book than any of the conflicts with the pagan nations. The writer wants the gravity of this moral failure and its consequences to sink in; the death toll alone is tremendous.

At last, we see Israel weeping at the prospect of fighting their brothers, repenting of their sin, and turning to the Lord (v. 26). What a heavy price to pay for their delay in following God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Whether it's our own personal sin or sin among God's people, sin must be addressed or the consequences will be devastating. This is one reason that church discipline is important. If there are any areas of sin in your life that you have just given the “right” to grow, repent of that and turn to the Lord today. He promises to forgive, and through the power of the Holy Spirit He will enable you to battle any strongholds (1 Cor. 10:13).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 12:1-3
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance. - Hebrews 12:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
On the first Sunday of January, 1757, Esther Edwards Burr, daughter of Jonathan Edwards, wrote in her journal: “I long to begin this year with God–O for God’s presence through this year! When I look back on the year past and take a view of the Numberless Mercies I have been the subject of, I stand amazed at God’s goodness to such an Ill-deserving, Hell-deserving Creature [as] I am–Why am I thus distinguished from the greater part of the World–What obligations am I under to spend the remainder of my time for God–I don’t want to live unless I can live more to the glory of God and do more good.”

Let her resolution be ours as well in 2004, as we kick off a year of Bible study centered around the theme of “God’s Wisdom for Real Life.” We begin this month with “Wise Characters of Faith,” a series of biblical character portraits.

Today’s passage refers to these and other Bible characters as a “great cloud of witnesses” who have run the race before us. Their lives show us the way. As “witnesses,” they testify to the faithfulness, power, and love of God, by whose grace they lived and by whose grace we too can run an all-out race (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24–27; Phil. 3:12–14).

In this “race” of Christian life, we should get rid of all that hamstrings us spiritually, especially sin. We are also to run with perseverance, because the race may be long and difficult. Encouragingly, it has been marked out for us, reminding us that God is always in control.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
To start this year right, why not compose a New Year’s resolution? Imitate Esther Edwards Burr and focus your resolution on spiritual concerns and your relationship with the Lord. And since our topic this month is “Wise Characters of Faith,” let it be a resolution specifically committing to grow in faith and wisdom during this coming year.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 11:1-40
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
Have you ever visited a hall of fame for a major sport? The hallways and exhibits contain a wealth of information: plaque after plaque engraved with names, dates, statistics, and records. Photgraphs and souvenirs of memorable achievements and championship games. Sound bites and video footage of great players and unforgettable moments. It can be awe-inspiring.

There’s a reason today’s chapter is often called “Faith’s Hall of Fame.” This gallery of biblical characters features many of the people we’ll encounter in this month’s study. Don’t focus on any particular one just yet, however. Instead, sit back and take in the panorama of biblical history. Savor the breathtaking honor roll of faithful people who depended entirely on their faithful God.

Verse 1 gives us a definition of faith: “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” The people listed in this chapter trusted God, whom they could not see, more than they trusted the evidence of their own eyes. They staked everything, as we do, on God. He is the only reason we can be sure and certain of the future.

Surveying all the examples, we can see two recurring themes–God’s character and our responsibility. God’s character is the foundation of our faith; that is, we are confident because it all depends on Him, not us. In this chapter, we see Him as the Creator, powerful and worthy of worship. He commends righteousness, rewards seekers, keeps promises, initiates covenant relationships, tests faith, gives victory, plans, judges, rescues, and redeems.

What about us? Grounding our life in God will have definite results in our attitudes, words, and actions. The people in this chapter, for example, acknowledged Him as Creator, worshiped Him, acted righteously, obeyed His commands, administered justice, showed reverence, trusted His promises, identified with His people, lived for different purposes, persevered, suffered, died, and conquered.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Alongside the biblical heroes reviewed in today’s passage, church history can provide us with a rich gallery of “witnesses” as we run our race. If you feel relatively knowledgeable about church history, why not dig deeper this month by reading a substantial biography of a faithful Christian you aren’t familiar with?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 6:9-22
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. - Genesis 6:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
The Aswan High Dam was a massive building project that took eleven years and one billion dollars to accomplish. A dream of Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, this two-mile-long dam aimed to end Nile River flooding and provide electrical power for the entire country. The construction involved political and environmental controversy, but Nasser pushed his vision through.

When finished, the dam created an enormous reservoir three hundred miles long and ten miles wide. The project was completed in 1970, shortly before Nasser’s death, and the lake was named in his honor.

Noah also knew about massive building projects!

Human history had gone sour since the Fall. God saw corruption and violence everywhere (Gen. 6:5–6). Though judgment was needed, He first took the initiative to make a creation-saving covenant with Noah, one which would preserve both human and natural life (v. 18; cf. Gen. 9:1-17). What made Noah different? He was righteous and blameless. He walked with God (v. 9). To maintain righteousness in the midst of such an evil time, he must have walked closely indeed!

God gave Noah unbelievable instructions–to build a boat like no one had ever seen before, in a landlocked place where it would appear to be of no use. The reason for building it was even more incredible–all living things would soon perish (v. 17). Furthermore, it’s possible that it had never rained before. Indications are that a somewhat different ecological system was at work before the Flood (compare Gen. 2:5-6 with 7:11).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
If possible today, go to a large, open area. Pace or measure off the dimensions of Noah’s Ark as given in Scripture. Most translations have converted “cubits” to feet for your convenience.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 12:1-9
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you. - Genesis 12:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
Lewis Smedes wrote, “Two anxieties dominate most of our lives. We are anxious in the face of our unchangeable past. . . . We are anxious in the face of our unpredictable futures. God offers two answers to our deepest anxieties. He is a forgiving God who recreates our pasts by forgiving them. He is a promising God who controls our future by making and keeping promises. By forgiving us, He changes our past. By promising, He secures our future.”

Abraham knew this and staked his life on God’s promise-keeping faithfulness. The Lord told Abraham that he would be blessed, have many descendants, and become a great nation. Through him, all the peoples of the earth would be blessed–a worldwide plan ultimately fulfilled in Christ (vv. 2–3; cf. Gal. 3:6–9).

Abraham didn’t have this historical perspective. What he did have was a command to leave home and go to a foreign country (v. 1). His family had been living in Ur, in what is today southern Iraq. His father, Terah, moved them more than five hundred miles north and east along the Euphrates River, to Haran. Both cities worshiped a moon god, among many other “deities” in whom Terah also believed (see Josh. 24:2). Only by God’s grace could His Word have even reached Abraham in such a setting! And since Haran was located on prosperous caravan trade routes, there was no human reason to leave.

Nonetheless, Abraham obeyed and set out. Only after his arrival in Canaan did God promise him the land, and he responded by building an altar and worshiping (vv. 6-7). The “great tree” where this happened was likely a prominent spot for idol worship, meaning that God was making a point and Abraham was taking a stand. This land belonged to the one true God, and it would belong to His people!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Job 19:21-29
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. - Job 19:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
Rick Husband, an astronaut, left a note with the leaders at his church in Houston, to be read to the congregation in the event of his death. That day came last year, after the Columbia space shuttle mission he commanded burned up on reentry, killing all seven aboard. “Tell them about Jesus,” the note said, “He means everything to me.” His pastor commented afterwards, “Rick Husband is probably the godliest man I’ve ever met. He was such a lover of God and a worker for God, a kind person to everyone else.”

Faith in the face of suffering and loss is tough. How can we trust God when everything goes wrong? Rick Husband knew, and so did Job. He probably lived about 2000 b.c., during the time of the patriarchs. The description of his wealth is impressive, but even more striking is his faith.

Then Job lost his family, his possessions, and his health. But he didn’t lose his faith. Even when his wife urged him to “Curse God and die!” (2:9), and even when his so-called friends argued with him, he held fast to his trust in the Lord.

Job proclaimed God’s sovereignty. He understood that everything that had happened to him had come from the powerful, incomprehensible, “hand of God” (v. 21; cf. 1:21; 42:3). He could have complained about people, circumstances, fate, or lesser causes, but he didn’t do that. He knew the buck stopped with the Lord.

Job also demonstrated faith in divine fairness and justice. He knew he didn’t deserve to suffer. He had complete confidence that God would vindicate him against his friends’ accusations. He believed God judges perfectly–the unjust events he had experienced didn’t change that. Even if he had to wait until after death, he knew he would be declared righteous and his friends would be condemned (vv. 25, 28-29).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Through the years many believers have seen Christ standing at the center of Job’s climactic statement of hope and faith in the midst of trials and hardships.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 50:12-21
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. - Genesis 50:20
TODAY IN THE WORD
When the Arthur Andersen accounting firm crashed in 2002 in the aftermath of the Enron scandal, Steve Stoner was one of thousands who lost their jobs. He saw his life savings, which had been invested in Andersen, evaporate. Yet he was able to say, “Losing my job was a gift from God.” Why? Because his career had been taking a heavy toll on his marriage, family, and spiritual life. He had been on the road to burnout.

In his own words: “The collapse of Andersen was a welcomed opportunity to reclaim portions of my life over which I’d lost control. . . . The Holy Spirit seemed to remind me that my wealth had little to do with markets or pension funds. It was in feeling loved and cared for by a heavenly Father who was in control of my life.”

Like Steve Stoner, Joseph trusted in God’s sovereign goodness, no matter what happened. He and Job make an encouraging pair–if they trusted God after all they went through, who are we to complain?

In today’s reading, Joseph’s brothers expected him to finally take revenge. They had intended to kill him, and eventually sold him into foreign slavery. Now that their father Jacob was dead, they were sure payback time had come and tried to protect themselves with a lie (vv. 15-17). It’s so deep in human nature to think and feel this way that they could hardly grasp Joseph’s response.

Joseph saw life through a totally different lens. In his experiences, he beheld God working to save lives (v. 20). He knew what his brothers had meant to do, but God’s purposes outweighed their jealous intentions. God’s plan, not theirs, governed Joseph’s faith and actions. And at the heart of it all was his ongoing trust in the promises God had given to Abraham.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Joseph trusted completely in the sovereign goodness of God. Do we?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Exodus 1:8-21
The midwives feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. - Exodus 1:17
TODAY IN THE WORD
About twelve hours before a scheduled abortion some twenty years ago, a young, unwed mother chose not to go through with it. Instead, she gave birth to a son, who was adopted into a Christian family. His name is Mike Glass–he praises God more than most of us do for the gift of life. And he mourns, in a very personal way, for the 40 million babies aborted in America since Roe v. Wade.

“Thanks God, Mom, Mom and Dad,” he wrote in World magazine. “I love you all. Thank you for letting me breathe my first breaths; I could have easily been one of the 40 million.”

Human life is sacred. So when the Israelite midwives in today’s reading refused to kill newborn babies, their actions honored God. Shiphrah and Puah were probably the heads of a larger association of midwives, reminding us that faith and wisdom can and should be lived out collectively as well as individually.

Many years had passed since the days of Joseph. A new dynasty had come to power in Egypt and had begun to oppress the Hebrew foreigners in their midst. As God had promised, the Israelite population had multiplied, and despite their enslavement, continued to do so. This fed a cycle of Egyptian mistrust, fear, and violence against them (vv. 12–14).

In a cruel attempt at “population control,” the Hebrew midwives were ordered to kill all baby boys at birth. Although they were slaves and subject to Pharaoh’s power, they did not obey, instead offering a transparently weak excuse. While we can assume that one of their motivations was loyalty to their own people, their main motivation was fear of the Lord (v. 17). “Fear of the Lord” is a reverence or respect based on knowledge of who God is. The midwives knew that He had created human beings, that we are made in His image, and thus that human life possesses intrinsic value (cf. Gen. 1:27; Ps. 139:13-16). God’s law clearly outweighed Pharaoh’s decree!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In honor of the Israelite midwives in today’s reading, take the initiative sometime soon to find out about Christian crisis pregnancy centers in your neighborhood or town. What are churches and parachurch organizations doing to help women in difficult circumstances? When voices on all sides are telling them abortion is the easy way out, who is speaking up to say that human life is made in God’s image and must be treated as sacred?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Exodus 32:7-20
Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. - Exodus 32:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
Mizpah was a key event in Israelite history. The people had been worshiping Canaanite idols, but through the ministry of the judge and prophet Samuel, they decided to return to the Lord. Samuel gathered them at Mizpah, where they fasted, offered sacrifices, and repented of their sins while he interceded for the nation. The Philistines seized the moment for an attack, but God miraculously defended His people, and Samuel set up a “stone of remembrance” to commemorate His rescue (1 Sam. 7).

Samuel and Moses are recognized in Scripture as two of the greatest national intercessors in the history of Israel (Jer. 15:1). While Moses’ life contains many episodes on which we might focus (cf. Heb. 11:24-28), we’ve chosen today’s prayer as a good example of the faith at the center of it.

The Israelites, miraculously released from slavery by God’s mighty intervention, were camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. They had seen God defeat Pharaoh, open the Red Sea, and lead them by the pillar of fire and cloud. Through Moses, God was about to initiate a special covenant and give them His holy Law. But their memory of these awe-inspiring evidences of His power and love didn’t last a month, which is about how long Moses was up on the mountain. Tired of waiting, the people bullied Aaron into making a golden calf as an idol, then worshiped it with pagan rituals and orgies.

God was justly angry. The people had acted impatiently, rebelliously, and faithlessly. Their punishment would be richly deserved! Why not wipe them out and make Moses into a founding father (v. 10)?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You might take some time in prayer today to imitate the examples of Samuel and Moses. Intercede before God for the future of our nation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 1:1-11
Be strong and courageous . . . for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9
TODAY IN THE WORD
Thomas and Tina Sjogren of New York City recently completed an incredible journey.

In May 2002, they skied and swam their way without any outside help (such as sled dogs or food airdrops) to 90-1/4 N latitude–the North Pole. Earlier they had successfully reached the South Pole and climbed Mount Everest, sometimes called “the third pole.” Only three people before them had managed to go to all three poles, and Tina is the first woman ever to accomplish the feat.

An incredible journey, a seemingly impossible goal. These words also describe the Israelites at the end of the Exodus, as they stood poised to enter the Promised Land. The legendary Moses had died, and Joshua was trying to fill his big shoes as the head of a restless and wandering nation. He may have been tempted to fear or feel discouragement, despite his special anointing for the task at hand and the fact that he was “filled with the spirit of wisdom” (cf. Deut. 34:9).

In this difficult situation, God made Joshua several promises and gave him several commands. He renewed the promise of conquering and inheriting the land, and specifically promised him victory in battle. Most significantly, He guaranteed His constant presence: “I will never leave you nor forsake you . . . the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (vv. 5, 9). The Lord also told Joshua to be strong and courageous, and repeated this several times for emphasis. He reminded him to meditate on and obey carefully His Law. In summary, Joshua could meet the challenge if He trusted the person, presence, power, and Word of God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today, we suggest that you do additional Bible study in order to dig deeper into the kind of faithful leadership Joshua exemplifies. What is genuine biblical leadership? What is “servant leadership”? What are the qualifications for leadership in the New Testament church, and why? What sort of leader is Christ? How can we follow in His footsteps? How does what you discover differ from the world’s viewpoint on these same questions, and why? How is God leading you to live out these principles?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 2:1-24
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. - Hebrews 11:31
TODAY IN THE WORD
In Japan, people who want to disappear and establish a new life and new identity contact a yonigeya. Who would want to do that? Actually, quite a number of people want a fresh start and are willing to pay for it. Often in fear for their lives, they turn to the yonigeya to help them vanish without a trace. Prices range from $2,000-$20,000, and customers include people escaping abusive marriages and people in debt to loan sharks and mobsters. The “disappearance” is seldom permanent–those who run away often reappear a year or two later. Their temporary escape gives them time to get their lives together and start over.

For the two desperate spies in today’s reading, Rahab served as a yonigeya. She could see whose side God was on, and she joined it. She did so even though her entire society and culture stood in opposition, and she did so at tremendous personal risk. That’s faith!

Why did she welcome the spies? She recognized that God had given the land to the Israelites. How did she know? Everyone had heard of the Red Sea miracle. Everyone knew about the Amorite kings’ defeats. Everyone had the same information–but they barred their doors and eventually perished. Only Rahab took a leap of faith: “The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (v. 11). She even asked for kindness–the same Hebrew term as unfailing love or lovingkindness, used of God’s covenant love (v. 12). And the result was that she and her family were saved.

What about her being a prostitute? No sinful past is beyond the saving power of God’s love. God is in the business of saving sinners, and she qualified! She showed her faith by her deeds, and rather stunningly is commended for it in the same breath as Abraham (James 2:23–25).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We’re now a week or so into our character-centered devotional study of faith and wisdom. At this point in the month, how would you define these terms? What exactly are “faith” and “wisdom”? Jot down ideas and notes and try to work them into a paragraph of perhaps five or six sentences. Write this paragraph in your spiritual journal.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Joshua 14:6-15
He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly. - Deuteronomy 1:36
TODAY IN THE WORD
Was Pete Sampras too old to win a major tennis tournament? Should he retire and leave the field to younger stars? Critics said he was finished. After two years and 33 tournaments without a title, it certainly looked that way . . . to everyone but Sampras. And he proved his point at the 2002 U.S. Open, beating rival Andre Agassi in four sets to win his fourteenth career Grand Slam championship, a record. Taking the tournament for the fifth time, he then became the oldest man to win in more than thirty years.

Of course, we’re talking about a man who was 31 years old at the time. If he can do it again at age 85, then he might qualify to be in Caleb’s league!

Caleb lived a life characterized by faith and wisdom. In the original spy mission, he brought a report according to his convictions, not according to the obstacles he saw. He trusted the promises of God, followed Him wholeheartedly, and was publicly commended for doing so (vv. 7–9).

He also showed faith through the difficult time of waiting–for 45 years!–before he finally crossed the Jordan River. It must have been quite depressing, waiting for an entire disobedient generation to die off. Surely he had plenty of chances to give up or lose focus, yet his faith remained strong. Wisely, he continued to trust in the Lord.

At age 85, standing at last on the edge of the Promised Land, Caleb showed faith in the future. He declared his readiness to go and fight. He praised God for keeping him strong. Anakites or no, he was eager to inherit the land God had promised (v. 12). He was given Hebron, in hill country about 25 miles south of Jerusalem. He later gave the city away to the Levites, demonstrating he was not preoccupied with the “spoils of war” (Josh. 21:11). That’s not what his life was about.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Here’s an open question for you to reflect on today: Do you live with the wholehearted faith of Caleb? Do you both wait and act with perfect faith? “Wholehearted” means your entire heart is devoted to God–not even one tiny corner of it is given over to selfish pursuits or ambitions. You belong to the Lord, without reservation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Judges 7:1-25
The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. - Judges 6:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
To begin today’s devotional, it might be useful to distinguish between “doubt” and “unbelief.” “Unbelief” does not accept what God says as true. It rejects the truth, choosing instead to follow another way or hold on to other ideas. This is clearly sinful.

Honest “doubt,” on the other hand, simply cannot grasp the truth of what God says. It wants to believe, but does not understand. So it pushes and questions and wrestles, trying to satisfy the mind in order to strengthen faith. Many of the heroes of faith we’re studying this month doubted, but they all believed. Gideon, despite his weaknesses, can be numbered among them.

If you’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed by biblical giants during our study, Gideon is the man for you–a man who doubted and wavered, yet still obeyed. God patiently worked with and graciously rewarded him, to the point where he’s mentioned by name near the end of “Faith’s Hall of Fame” (Heb. 11:32).

When an angel addressed Gideon as “mighty warrior,” he responded, “But sir . . .” He was full of excuses about personal and family shortcomings. He asked for a sign–the famous fleece–to prop up his faith.

In today’s reading, Gideon was finally ready to go. But God told him to allow anyone who was afraid to return home. Perhaps Gideon was a fair sample of the spirit of the times, for 22,000 men bailed out at this point. Gideon ordered the remaining soldiers to drink from the river, and after this test all but a handful were sent home. The chosen ones had brought their hands to their mouths, probably showing alertness or readiness for battle. The others, by contrast, had not prepared themselves mentally for the task at hand.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The example of Gideon’s somewhat wobbly faith might encourage you today if you also find yourself plagued with doubts. The wonderful message of this story is that God isn’t constrained by our own inadequacy. In fact, He often chooses to demonstrate His power through just such unlikely prospects as Gideon.