Reading: Judges 6:1-&;25

“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”
Judges 6:15-16

I could write a week’s worth of devotions just on the nuggets of this story. But what strikes at the cord of my heart today, is the transforming power of God that brings a nature change that leads us into our destiny.

The children of Israel had strayed far from God and the insidiousness of sin is that the farther you stray, the more distorted your perceptions becomes of God and yourself.  The story of Gideon reveals the heart of God as He responds to our cries, even when we have strayed.

In response to their cries God sends a prophet.  The prophet represents the voice of God that brings a now word in our season.  The now word represents hope as it is a living word that reconciles us and strengthens us as it reveals God’s plan for us. (Judges 6:7-10)

Gideon then has a visitation from God.  Even in Gideon’s fearful and sinful state, the Angel of the Lord appears to Gideon bringing a personal word of destiny and peace.

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
Judges 6:12

As Gideon communes with God, He discovers that God has a different perception of Gideon and his potential.

And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”
Judges 6:16

Gideon perceptions begin to change as a result of being in the presence of God and hearing God’s Word to him.  He discovers that the Lord Jehovah is not an angry God, but a God of Peace, who desires to reconcile us to Him and our destiny.

 Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the Lord. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”  Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.”   So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace…
Judges 6:22-24

In response to his encounter with God, Gideon surrenders his life as he builds an altar of worship to the Lord finding a new peace in his life that gives him the courage and strength to arise and become all God has destined him to be.

As you continue on your journey, listen to the Word of the Lord, and allow it to draw you into God’s presence; for there you will gain a new perception and discover a peace that restores and reconciles you to Him and His amazing plan for your life!