Knowing God's plans for our lives

Gideon - knowing God's plans for us

Judges 6:33-40 (NIV)
Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. [34] Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. [35] He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them. [36] Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised--- [37] look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." [38] And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew---a bowlful of water. [39] Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew." [40] That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

The story of Gideon and the fleece.

Is this from God and what God wants me to do?

What is the context?

V1-10 Israel oppressed 
V11-24 definitely chosen by God
V25-32 committed himself to task

Promise from God -

Judges 6:16 (NIV)
The Lord answered, "I will be with you , and you will strike down all the Midianites together."

Gideon says "if"

Judges 6:36 (NIV)
Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised---


If - doubt - fear

Called to a task that seemed impossible. It was so scary even though Gideon had met with God. God understood this.



Judges 6:33 (NIV)
Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.

Judges 6:34-35 (NIV)
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. [35] He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them.

The conversation happens at the point of action.

The conversation ..

Judges 6:36-38 (NIV)
Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised--- [37] look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." [38] And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew---a bowlful of water.

But then ....

Judges 6:39-40 (NIV)
Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew." [40] That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

Was he being brave, foolhardy? One more test, I'm not quite there yet!

That night God did ......
Gideon must have felt confident, able to go ....

God appreciates honesty about our doubts and fears. He doesn't want us to carry them with us. From here to a place of Faith and Empowerment.

Read what happens next in chapter 7.

It's ok for us to have that conversation with God. God understands our humanity and worries.

God promises to guide us

Psalm 25:9,12 (NIV)
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. [12] Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

We need to humble ourselves before God. He knows better than we do!

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We should always be ready to ask "is this from the Bible, can it be from God"

A confirming sign?

If God has something important to say He will repeat it until we get it! We do need to have ears to listen. 

It God's heart desire to be in a place of knowing what He wants and to walk it.