a mighty warrior

This begins the life story of Gideon, and the journey of walking through it with him.

Judges 6:1-16

"The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help." 6:1-6

The Israelites had hit an all time low, a rock bottom. What sorrow they could have avoided if they would have continued to trust God with their future. Yet, here they are being oppressed by the desert Midianites, hiding away in caves on the side of the mountain, with very little food, crops, and protection from the elements of nature. Then, finally...."they cried out to the Lord for help." Turning to God should never be a last resort. Even when life is hard, when we face struggles, when we are tired and weary, God gives us the strength to continue moving forward. We shouldn't wait until we are at the very end of our rope to then...finally, call on the Lord for help. He wants to help you, daily.

"When the Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” 6:7-10

When they did cry out to the Lord, a prophet showed up and gave them a reminder of what has been done, and a hope of what was to come. The Lord said - Remember what all I did for you! Remember when I freed you! Remember when I saved you! Remember when I blessed you! And after all that....you still turn away from me. How it grieves the Father's heart when we disobey him, when he lavishes his love on us and we just turn away from him. If we have been set free, saved, and blessed, but continue to walk away from the Lord, what great sorrow we bring to the heart of God.

"The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” 6:11-16

Gideon is just a young, simple farmer. Hiding out of site from the enemy, in a winepress, threshing the little bit of wheat left for he and his family. Suddenly, an angel of God is standing before him and says:

"hey - you, mighty warrior, God is with you"

Just think about that for a minute. As you are just doing your everyday normal thing, and all of a sudden, that happens.

But Gideon's response to this angelic visitation and strong word is what gets me. He says, to this massive, incredible, angel:

"oh, yeah, if God is with me, then why is all this bad stuff happening? I don't even think God is really here at all."

That's what he said to an angel of God! Gideon blamed God for all the problems, but the problems were a result of the greed, sin, and disobedience of the people themselves.

Then the face of God looks Gideon directly in the eyes and says:

"Go in the strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. I just told you, and I will do what I promise."

And again, Gideon doubts. After seeing the eyes of God in his own eyes, he still doubts. That is just crazy.

God promised to give him everything he needed, to do what needed to do, even through the excuses, self-doubt, and uncertainity. We are all called to serve God is specific ways, and God promises to give us the tools we need for that service. But, we tend to make excuses for why we can't do things. God put our gifts inside us, gave us the character and tenacity for them, and gives us the opportunity to use them when he is ready for that. He wouldn't do all of that, just for us to waste it.

a running song of praise

Judges 5

"That day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song..." 5:1

After a victory, they sang praises to the Lord. They recounted all the Lord did for them. We should never forget to give thanks to the Lord for his mercies. Our praises are acceptable, pleasant, and profitable to the Lord when they come from a full heart of thanksgiving. When we share love and gratitude about what the Lord has done for us, it is deeply fixed in the hearts of believers and never get lost or forgotten. Whatever Deborah, Barak, or the army had done, the Lord was given all the praise. All success was from Him.

I remember so clearly this one day years ago. I was sitting in the room we used for middle school ministry at Ridgeland High School. It was the drama classroom, tucked away in a hall towards the back of the school. I had moved from the main campus of Pinelake over to the Madison campus, was serving in student ministry, and seeking the Lord in ways I had never thought possible. I can't tell you what the message was on that day, but I heard this song for the first time and it awakened something so deep in my soul that I was taken into a whole new place of worship with the Lord.

"Come away with me,
Come a way with me.
It's never to late,
it's not to late for you.
I have a plan for you,
I have a plan for you.
It's gonna be wild,
It's gonna be great,
It's gonna be full of me."

I had no idea what that plan was at the time, but I knew the words the Lord was singing over me....it was going to be wilder than I could have ever imagined. And it has been!

It was one day as I was running down Farish Street, when the song came on through my phone, that I was taken back to the day in the little classroom of the school, and I literally stopped in my tracks - remembered what the Lord sang over me, and was flooded with the love of Jesus as He showed me what that plan was. This is the picture I took from that day, so that I never forget the victory.

Over the last 4 years I have run so many days and miles through downtown. On streets I would have never even have driven down before. Through alleys that seem so scary in the daylight you wouldn't even dare them. But these times of running have always been so beautiful, and fun, and amazing, as I have used each one as a time to worship and pray and let the Lord love me so deeply and tenderly.

What I thought His plan for me was going to look like, was not even close to what it has been in His reality. It has been so much better, and more perfect, and just like He said.....it has been wild, and great, and full of Him.

Here are some of the places He has taken me, and with some of the ones He has let me go there with, singing and running with Him.

deborah, daring me to be better

Judges 4

"Deborah was a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth. She was judge over Israel at that time. She held court under Deborah’s Palm between Ramah and Bethel in the hills of Ephraim. The People of Israel went to her in matters of justice. She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “It has become clear that God, the God of Israel, commands you: Go to Mount Tabor and prepare for battle. Take ten companies of soldiers from Naphtali and Zebulun. I’ll take care of getting Sisera, the leader of Jabin’s army, to the Kishon River with all his chariots and troops. And I’ll make sure you win the battle.” Barak said, “If you go with me, I’ll go. But if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” She said, “Of course I’ll go with you. But understand that with an attitude like that, there’ll be no glory in it for you. God will use a woman’s hand to take care of Sisera.” Deborah got ready and went with Barak to Kedesh. Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together at Kedesh. Ten companies of men followed him. And Deborah was with him." 4:4-10

A little bit about Deborah:

She was the only female judge of Israel.
She was gifted to mediate, advise, and counsel.
She walked in the prophetic.
She was bold, brave, unassuming, and confident.

Wise leaders are rare. They accomplish great amounts of work without direct involvement because they know how to work through other people. They are able to see the big picture that often escapes those directly involved.

Deborah had the qualities of a wise leader, that lined up with her relationship with God. The Lord gave her insight, confidence, boldness, and authority. Even having these qualities, she was not after power. She only wanted to serve God, and all the glory was given to Him for all she was able to do. She didn't deny or resist her position, even though it was in a culture where women were not given places of leadership. She didn't let the culture dictate her obedience to the Lord.

Her life challenges me in many ways.

I must be available to the Lord, and to other people, even when I don't feel like it.
I need to spend my efforts on what I can do, instead of worrying about what I can't.
I have been given authority and wisdom from God, that must only be used to bring honor to Him.
With God in control, I can accomplish anything He sets before me.

How did she gain so much respect? She was responsible for leading an army into battle, but she also had to lead them into a life serving the Lord after the battle was over. Her personality and character had a way of drawing people to her leadership. She used the prophetic gift the Lord gave her to encourage people to obey God. She walked boldly in all that was before her. She wasn't afraid to go into places that others were scared of. Her life was a true reflection of what she believed.

I want to be so much like her. I am learning from her how to walk in all the Lord gave me, to be bold to go in the places that others wouldn't dare venture in, to give all credit for each victory I get to walk in, to the Lord, and the hardest for me...to continue going forward, even if I am going alone.

This is the song I think Deborah would sing. She was a rock star.

what are you singing?

When my kids get in my car, their little hands automatically turn the radio to 99 jams. I admit, the beat of the music sounds good, but the words of the songs are full of so much evil and destruction. I can find myself dancing with them and singing along before I realize what the words are.

When my nephew gets in my car, his hands automatically turn the radio to 96.3. The beat of the music sounds different, but the words in the songs are about the same.

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. What are we listening to, when we don't think it is "bad?" Do we even realize what we are singing along to? We can start singing a song without even thinking about it because the words can get lodged within our heart and just naturally flow out.

David said,
"May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

When you start singing along, stop and think.....are these words pleasing to the Lord? I have just turned the radio off in my car. I find the quietness is much better than the temptation to sing along with something that is not holy.

There are two songs on the radio. a rap version. a country version. They both pretty much are saying the same things. Which one is worse? These are explicit lyrics, so caution yourself as you read through both of them.

rap version:
Aye get turnt up
Drink a lil bit
Smoke a lil bit
Pop a lil bit
We ain't doing much
Tryna have a good time
Got 4 bad bitches
Man the pleasures all mine
Girls kissin' girls
Best believe they all fine
Tryin' to have a good time
roll around the city, porsche seats on recline
Bitch named keisha, got an ass like a bubble
Feed her M&M's watch it turn to some trouble
Two hands on the ball, shorty just double
Once I get mine
I ain't trying to cuddle
All in the party,
Hippy trippy on the henny
Jar full of weed,
Baby girl I got plenty
Break fast for the chick
Like I work at Denny's
Shawty where the shots
I need many, many, many, many
Molly in the system
Drinkin' out the bottle
Shorty goin' in
Going hard full throttle
Instagram likes got her feeling like a model
If you looking' for the drugs, don't worry I got em

country version:
Turn the quiet up, turn the noise down
Let this ol' world just spin around
I wanna feel it swing, wanna feel it sway
And put some feel good in my soul
Drink a little drink, smoke a little smoke

Wanna little more right and a little less left
Little more right now, a little less what's next
Act like tomorrow's ten years away
And just kick back and let the feelin' flow
Drink a little drink, smoke a little smoke, yeah

I set my sails for a new direction
But the wind got in my way
I changed my course but my definition of change
Just ain't the same

I'm gonna sit right here, stay away from there
I'm gon' make pretend I just don't care
I could get up, go get her back
Or maybe I'll just let her go
Drink a little drink, smoke a little smoke, yeah

I kick back, give the blues spin
Break out the wine, forget again
Dig down deep, find my stash
Light it up, memory crash

Oh no, I don't know, baby my take on life
Maybe break out that old rock and roll
Drink a little drink, smoke a little smoke
Gon' drink a little drink, smoke a little smoke yea

new territory. new victory.

Judges 3

"These are the nations that the Lord left in the land to test those Israelites who had not experienced the wars of Canaan. He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle." 3:1-2

Oh how I feel this one. Every day.

I have stepped foot right in the middle of a battle field that I thought I had experience in to fight, and in many ways, I do; yet, there is so much in this battle that I have never encountered before, was prepared for, or feel equipped with the right tools to fight with.

Some of the enemies still in the land were there because of disobedience from previous generations. But now God allowed the enemies to remain there as a way to strengthen the faith and obedience of His people. There was so much their ancestors had done before them, but now it was time to stand firm and fight the battle on their own.

This is what I am feeling. Many have gone before me in this battle, but now God has put big obstacles, difficult situations, hard decisions, and hostile neighbors, in my midst in Midtown. Not as a way to discourage me, but as a way to develop my faith and obedience.

If the enemy is attacking, the Lord is winning. I must be doing something right.

Last week I was in Florida for work. I got to spend a few hours just laying on the white sands, on a sunny day, in the cool breeze, with a sore throat and stuffy nose. But, it was still good good good for me. A few years ago I spent many months praying about moving to Florida with my friends to help with their church plant. The Lord even gave me the freedom to choose to go or stay (those were his words to me). When the time came for me to choose, it was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make in life. On this side of it, and 3 years later, I was back in Florida where I would have been living and the Lord said to me, while I was laying by the water, "Thank you for choosing to stay. Let me show you all you would have missed if you had gone." and He began to flash pictures of so many things I have been a part of, places I have been, people I have met, and the faces of every one of my kids. It felt like that movie played for hours and hours in my head, and I didn't want it to end.

I am not equipped to handle some of the things I am faced with. Whether it is making a decision on what to do next on the house, or how in the world do you talk to a teenage boy about how he is feeling (I need HELP with this!), but the Lord has put me in this land with all of these obstacles because He is teaching me how to do them. He is taking me to new heights of how to love like Him. He is taking over new territory within me, that will claim new land for Him. And He is certainly testing my obedience to everything He asks of me.

Warfare is real. When I lay down at night after so much has happened in one day, I am exhausted. Not physically, but emotionally drained because of the spiritual battle that rages around me. I am not just fighting against the enemy over my own life, but I stand and fight the enemy with everything I have in me for the life of all my kids. I refuse to let the enemy try to steal, kill, or destroy them.

Obstacles from the Lord, they are a good thing. They are hard, but they are still good.

Yesterday me and the girls went to play by the water. The Lord reminded me that learning how to fight in this battle, with tools I have never used before, would only give me greater victory over lands I have never walked through before. Seeing them play in the water was just a sweet picture of what I am fighting for, and why He has me fighting in these new lands.