relentless pursuit to the end

Judges 9:22-57

"Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. Then God brought bad blood between Abimelech and Shechem’s leaders, who now worked treacherously behind his back. Violence boomeranged: The murderous violence that killed the seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal, was now loose among Abimelech and Shechem’s leaders, who had supported the violence. To undermine Abimelech, Shechem’s leaders put men in ambush on the mountain passes who robbed travelers on those roads. And Abimelech was told.

At that time Gaal son of Ebed arrived with his relatives and moved into Shechem. The leaders of Shechem trusted him. One day they went out into the fields, gathered grapes in the vineyards, and trod them in the winepress. Then they held a celebration in their god’s temple, a feast, eating and drinking. And then they started putting down Abimelech.

Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is this Abimelech? And who are we Shechemites to take orders from him? Isn’t he the son of Jerub-Baal, and isn’t this his henchman Zebul? We belong to the race of Hamor and bear the noble name of Shechem. Why should we be toadies of Abimelech? If I were in charge of this people, the first thing I’d do is get rid of Abimelech! I’d say, ‘Show me your stuff, Abimelech—let’s see who’s boss here!’”

Zebul, governor of the city, heard what Gaal son of Ebed was saying and got angry. Secretly he sent messengers to Abimelech with the message, “Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem and are stirring up trouble against you. Here’s what you do: Tonight bring your troops and wait in ambush in the field. In the morning, as soon as the sun breaks, get moving and charge the city. Gaal and his troops will come out to you, and you’ll know what to do next.”

Abimelech and his troops, four companies of them, went up that night and waited in ambush approaching Shechem. Gaal son of Ebed had gotten up and was standing in the city gate. Abimelech and his troops left their cover. When Gaal saw them he said to Zebul, “Look at that, people coming down from the tops of the mountains!” Zebul said, “That’s nothing but mountain shadows; they just look like men.” Gaal kept chattering away. Then he said again, “Look at the troops coming down off Tabbur-erez (the Navel of the World)—and one company coming straight from the Oracle Oak.” Zebul said, “Where is that big mouth of yours now? You who said, ‘And who is Abimelech that we should take orders from him?’ Well, there he is with the troops you ridiculed. Here’s your chance. Fight away!” Gaal went out, backed by the leaders of Shechem, and did battle with Abimelech. Abimelech chased him, and Gaal turned tail and ran. Many fell wounded, right up to the city gate. Abimelech set up his field headquarters at Arumah while Zebul kept Gaal and his relatives out of Shechem.

The next day the people went out to the fields. This was reported to Abimelech. He took his troops, divided them into three companies, and placed them in ambush in the fields. When he saw that the people were well out in the open, he sprang up and attacked them. Abimelech and the company with him charged ahead and took control of the entrance to the city gate; the other two companies chased down those who were in the open fields and killed them. Abimelech fought at the city all that day. He captured the city and massacred everyone in it. He leveled the city to the ground, then sowed it with salt.

When the leaders connected with Shechem’s Tower heard this, they went into the fortified God-of-the-Covenant temple. This was reported to Abimelech that the Shechem’s Tower bunch were gathered together. He and his troops climbed Mount Zalmon (Dark Mountain). Abimelech took his ax and chopped a bundle of firewood, picked it up, and put it on his shoulder. He said to his troops, “Do what you’ve seen me do, and quickly.” So each of his men cut his own bundle. They followed Abimelech, piled their bundles against the Tower fortifications, and set the whole structure on fire. Everyone in Shechem’s Tower died, about a thousand men and women.

Abimelech went on to Thebez. He camped at Thebez and captured it. The Tower-of-Strength stood in the middle of the city; all the men and women of the city along with the city’s leaders had fled there and locked themselves in. They were up on the tower roof. Abimelech got as far as the tower and assaulted it. He came up to the tower door to set it on fire. Just then some woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and crushed his skull. He called urgently to his young armor bearer and said, “Draw your sword and kill me so they can’t say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” His armor bearer drove in his sword, and Abimelech died. When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.

God avenged the evil Abimelech had done to his father, murdering his seventy brothers. And God brought down on the heads of the men of Shechem all the evil that they had done, the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal."

This is a lot to digest, so basically.....

Abimelech got to serve as judge for 3 years. The exact amount of time that Jotham had prophesized. Three long years of enduring his wrath and destruction. But then the Lord punished him for his evil ways, even though he was the son of Gideon, a mighty warrior. No matter what "good" you do in your life, or what "good" you come from, living a life of sin and disobedience still produces powerful consequences.

Why did the Lord allow him these three years?

God promises to deal with sin, but it is in His timing, not ours. It is actually good news that God doesn't punish us immediately in our sin, but in His mercy He allows us time to repent.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

That is good news to me - when I think about the times I was so deeply stuck in a life of sin. Thank you Jesus for being patient and gracious and full of mercy over my life. Thank Him for that over yours too.

Abimelech had so many chances to turn his life over to God. I know that in those times of darkness, destruction, and despair, the Lord was calling his name. God was pursuing his heart and reaching down from heaven to pour love on him.

God's love is relentless for us.

He loves me at my best as much as He loved Abimelech at his worst.

His love is for all, in all, and over all.

“They found grace out in the desert,
these people who survived the killing.
Israel, out looking for a place to rest,
met God out looking for them!”
God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will.
Expect love, love, and more love!
And so now I’ll start over with you and build you up again,
dear virgin Israel.
You’ll resume your singing,
grabbing tambourines and joining the dance.
You’ll go back to your old work of planting vineyards
on the Samaritan hillsides,
And sit back and enjoy the fruit—
oh, how you’ll enjoy those harvests!
The time’s coming when watchmen will call out
from the hilltops of Ephraim:
‘On your feet! Let’s go to Zion,
go to meet our God!’”
Oh yes, God says so.
Jeremiah 31:1-6

jotham's parable

Judges 9:7-21

"When this was all told to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and shouted:

Listen to me, leaders of Shechem.
And let God listen to you!
The trees set out one day
to anoint a king for themselves.
They said to Olive Tree,
“Rule over us.”
But Olive Tree told them,
“Am I no longer good for making oil
That gives glory to gods and men,
and to be demoted to waving over trees?”
The trees then said to Fig Tree,
“You come and rule over us.”
But Fig Tree said to them,
“Am I no longer good for making sweets,
My mouthwatering sweet fruits,
and to be demoted to waving over trees?”
The trees then said to Vine,
“You come and rule over us.”
But Vine said to them,
“Am I no longer good for making wine,
Wine that cheers gods and men,
and to be demoted to waving over trees?”
All the trees then said to Tumbleweed,
“You come and reign over us.”
But Tumbleweed said to the trees:
“If you’re serious about making me your king,
Come and find shelter in my shade.
But if not, let fire shoot from Tumbleweed
and burn down the cedars of Lebanon!”

“Now listen: Do you think you did a right and honorable thing when you made Abimelech king? Do you think you treated Jerub-Baal and his family well, did for him what he deserved? My father fought for you, risked his own life, and rescued you from Midian’s tyranny, and you have, just now, betrayed him. You massacred his sons—seventy men on a single stone! You made Abimelech, the son by his maidservant, king over Shechem’s leaders because he’s your relative. If you think that this is an honest day’s work, this way you have treated Jerub-Baal today, then enjoy Abimelech and let him enjoy you. But if not, let fire break from Abimelech and burn up the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo. And let fire break from the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo and burn up Abimelech.”

Jotham was the lone survivor of Abimelech's destruction. It makes me curious as to how he escaped. How was he the only one that was able to get away? One of those interesting things in God's word that we get to be intrigued by.

But what he did, was so bold.

He climbed to the top of a mountain and screamed out over the entire population (that was in support of the man that annihilated his family), "Hey, people - look what you did!" He stood up for what he believed in, for the truth. He was trying to use the parable to get the people to understand that their priorities were not aligned up with what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

This has had me thinking about all that has been going on around us in our country lately - state flag controversy, acceptance of marriage between man/man and woman/woman, transgender approval in society, and our local and state election campaigns.

Are we as brave and bold as Jotham was to stand up for what we believe and what we know is true? I don't feel like I have to post my opinions or concerns all over facebook to do that. I have had many conversations with people asking what my thoughts are, and that is where I have to choose how I am going to respond that reflects what my heart agrees with. Even when those are hard conversations, awkward encounters, and difficult times to use grace and patience. Don't compromise your values for the sake of pleasing the world.

I have heard so many times that saying, "It's not what you say, it's what you do, that reflects who you are." However, in Jotham's case, it was both.

Maybe that is why the Lord gave him a way to escape. Maybe he was the only 1 of 70, that would be bold enough to stand for the truth.

Be like Jotham. Be the 1.

abimelech - the power of power

Judges 9:1-6

"Abimelech son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem to his uncles and all his mother’s relatives and said to them, “Ask all the leading men of Shechem, ‘What do you think is best, that seventy men rule you—all those sons of Jerub-Baal—or that one man rule? You’ll remember that I am your own flesh and blood.’” His mother’s relatives reported the proposal to the leaders of Shechem. They were inclined to take Abimelech. “Because,” they said, “he is, after all, one of us.” They gave him seventy silver pieces from the shrine of Baal-of-the-Covenant. With the money he hired some reckless riffraff soldiers and they followed along after him. He went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his half brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal—seventy men! And on one stone! The youngest, Jotham son of Jerub-Baal, managed to hide, the only survivor. Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo gathered at the Oak by the Standing Stone at Shechem and crowned Abimelech king."

Back when Gideon was obsessed with women, he became father to an illegitimate son - Abimelech. All of his life he was known as the "son of a concubine" amongst the rest of his family, and the 70 half-brothers he had. I am sure that caused some tension, resentment, anger, and bitterness. Since Gideon was a famous warrior and judge, this set his children up in a place of success, and Abimelech let all of the hurt in his heart conspire into something so terrible after his fathers death, to destroy that legacy.

He wanted power. He wanted authority. He wanted revenge.

The King of Israel was God, not man, but Abimelech wanted to take that throne instead. In his thirst for selfish power, he killed all of his brothers, except for one that managed to escape. His way of coping with some hard things in life was to get ruthless and destructive. Power has a way of taking over us when we let it corrupt our judgement.

What are our ambitions when he have deep rooted hurts? Are we self-centered, seeking revenge, or are we God-centered and choose forgiveness and freedom. When we let the power of pride take over, it starts a disastrous cycle. The thirst for power is not satisfied with power, it only becomes more intense for it.

Abimelech was to that point. His life was consumed with the thirst for power, and eventually he no longer had power - power had him.

I have seen this on two different spectrums of culture here in Jackson. The need for power, and destroying anything in your way to achieve it. It may look different on the outside, but the deceitful heart behind both is the same.

Sometimes I carry so many burdens, so much weight of others hurts and problems. It makes me really tired and weary. I was driving down the road, feeling the heaviness today, praying, trying to let him take these loads off my shoulders and place them on His.....because that is where they belong anyway. The Lord said to me, "I feel the same weight you do, the only difference is that I can carry them with a love greater than you can ever understand, so just give them to me so I can do that."

Just to hear his voice. The weight was gone. The problems and tangible things are still here, but I didn't have to spend the rest of my day dragging my feet under them. Thank you Jesus.

I started my day out with this song, and I am ending with it too. Praying for all the Abimelech's out there, that they would know love like this.

tbh......the raw, the real, the reward

My kids are all doing this thing where they say "tbh....." then say something about the person they pick.

For example: ms jamie, tbh, you are the most awesomest and funnest and bestest person in the world. (but, really....)

"tbh" translates into To Be Honest.

I read an article earlier this week about mission organizations that tend to stretch the truth, or not tell the full story of what they are really doing, and how hard it really is.

I have been thinking about that a lot over the last few days. Asking myself if I do a good job really "telling the story", or if I just tell the parts that I think people want to hear, or that make me feel good about myself.

So, "tbh", here is what being a missionary in Jackson, MS looks like.

Loving people when they are mean to you, when they steal from you, when they scream at you, when they throw things at you, when they spit at you, when they manipulate you, when they lie to you, when they disappoint you.

Constantly being asked for help. Whether it is for money, food, clothes, a ride, a bus ticket, or other random things.

Being interrupted all the time. In the middle of breakfast/lunch/dinner/middle of the night sleep, sitting down to rest, sitting on the toilet, washing dishes, spending time with Jesus or friends.

Answering phone calls or text messages when you really don't want to.

Never ending knocks on the door, or bedroom windows, all hours of the day and night.

Going places you would never have gone before. In a dark alley at night, in a store that is known for being robbed and dangerous, in a house full of drugs and demons, in a prison full of convicted felons, in a church full of religion.

Being consistent with your message. Not just talking about the fruits of the spirit, but actually using them.
love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, self-control.

Sharing your story again and again with those that come to serve. The church groups, the community service groups, the pastors, the countless others that just want to know what is going on. And getting blank stares or crazy questions.

Giving with no expectation of getting anything in return, other than more love from Jesus. God's love doesn't change. It is the same today, tomorrow, and forever. But when we give in his honor, we feel it more and more, the love that is already there. We get to climb deeper in his heart and experience what is there ready for us.

Dying to self, daily. Saying "yes" to Jesus, and "no" to the world. Giving up luxury for location, time for tears, fear for faith, and money for mercy.

It is hard. It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Every missionary that serves in downtown Jackson has their own story of how they got there, what the Lord is teaching them and doing in their life, and other things that make it hard for them, but I would think we all can relate to these things above.

Even so....

tbh, it is the most rewarding, life-changing, honoring, humbling, and beautiful thing I have ever done.

Jesus said:

"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father." John 14:12

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you…For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink…when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” Matthew 25:34-40

Saul became Paul, then he did what Jesus said.

Acts 3

"Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money. Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.

Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!

“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.

“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets. Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’

“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”

This is the greatest example of the what being the Hands and Feet of Jesus looks like. Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to pray, like they did every day. Then, someone interrupted them, asked them for something. That man was not expecting what he got in return - healing!

Peter and John were just doing what Jesus said to do.

If you are a Christian in Jackson, MS, then you should be doing the same thing Peter and John did. If you are a Christian in Anywhere, World - you should too.

I get the honor to live and love in Jackson, but I am to be a missionary wherever I am.

tbh, this is the reward.

gideon's goodbye

Judges 8:22-35

"The Israelites said, “Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson. You have saved us from Midian’s tyranny.” Gideon said, “I most certainly will not rule over you, nor will my son. God will reign over you.” 8:22-23

Gideon may have been the tangible thing that the Israelites could see and touch, that delivered them from the enemy, but GOD is the realness of where that freedom came from. Sometimes people put all their trust and devotion in a person, rather than in the hands of Jesus. I have hero's. Faithful warriors that have gone before me, and still fight ahead of me, that I learn so much from. Four come to mind just at I sit here and type.

Teresa Kinsley, who left a legacy for her family and everyone she ever knew, who is now sitting at the feet of Jesus in complete adoration and worship of Him for eternity.

Shelby Neese, who lived and loved for years in East Africa, baptized me 13 years ago, and even shared the love of Jesus on the street I will be living on, long before I ever knew it existed!

Amy and David Lancaster, who led me so well at We Will Go, and continue to pour into me and be spiritual parents to me.

These are all amazing leaders and faithful servants of Jesus, but.....they are still people. I can't put all my trust and worship in them. I can learn from them and value them, but they can never truly be all for me, only God can fulfill the duty of ruling over my life.

"Then Gideon said, “But I do have one request. Give me, each of you, an earring that you took as plunder.” Ishmaelites wore gold earrings, and the men all had their pockets full of them. They said, “Of course. They’re yours!” They spread out a blanket and each man threw his plundered earrings on it. The gold earrings that Gideon had asked for weighed about forty-three pounds—and that didn’t include the crescents and pendants, the purple robes worn by the Midianite kings, and the ornaments hung around the necks of their camels. Gideon made the gold into a sacred ephod and put it on display in his hometown, Ophrah. All Israel prostituted itself there. Gideon and his family, too, were seduced by it." 8:24-27

A sign of wealth was to wear as much jewelry as possible, not just on yourself, but on your animals as well. I've read that women wore up to 15 pair of earings!

Are things really any different today? Big houses, expensive cars, designer clothes, luxury vacations, etc....we "wear" what we have to show off what we are worth. I just want to wear Jesus. Really. I have learned what my true value and worth is, and where it comes from, so that is all I want to wear. Jesus.

At this point, I just want to SMH (that is a term I have learned from my kids, that means "shaking my head") at Gideon. This ephod he made, which represented a victory, was probably made by him with good motives, but those that followed him began to worship it, and not the God who gave them the victory. Even Gideon fell into the arms of desire over things, wealth, power. SMH.

"Midian’s tyranny was broken by the Israelites; nothing more was heard from them. The land was quiet for forty years in Gideon’s time. Jerub-Baal son of Joash went home and lived in his house. Gideon had seventy sons. He fathered them all—he had a lot of wives! His concubine, the one at Shechem, also bore him a son. He named him Abimelech. Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age. He was buried in the tomb of his father Joash at Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Gideon was hardly cool in the tomb when the People of Israel had gotten off track and were prostituting themselves to Baal—they made Baal-of-the-Covenant their god. The People of Israel forgot all about God, their God, who had saved them from all their enemies who had hemmed them in. And they didn’t keep faith with the family of Jerub-Baal (Gideon), honoring all the good he had done for Israel." 8:28-35

Do you remember how Gideon started out?

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"

And this is how his life ended. He walked into a battle with nothing, saw the Lord do the fighting, walked out with a victory. Then, he just gave in to the earthly desires and temptations around him. He walked around adorned with "things" for everyone to see what all he had. He became obsessed with sex and women, fathering over 70 children. And then he just died.

Heroes in battle are not always heros in daily life. Gideon led the nation, but he couldn't lead his own family. Watch for temptations. Sometimes the strongest attacks from the enemy come after a victory.

God called Gideon into this when he was lowly, humble, unassuming, and underqualified. He started worshiping the gifts from God, instead of worshiping the giver of the gifts.

I would rather stay in the trenches, doing dirty work, be unnoticed, stay behind the stage, have just what I need and not all that I want, and worship Jesus there......than to live a life with so much fullness of things and earthly rewards, and die with regrets of "If I had only....."

Complete rebellion and chaos ensued after Gideon died. If he had finished his life, the way he started, maybe the generation under him would have followed suit with that too.

How we live today doesn't just affect our lives, it impacts the generations to come after us. What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

"No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:8

give up selfishness for sacredness

Judges 8:4-21

"Gideon and his three hundred arrived at the Jordan and crossed over. They were bone-tired but still pressing the pursuit. He asked the men of Succoth, “Please, give me some loaves of bread for my troops I have with me. They’re worn out, and I’m hot on the trail of Zebah and Zalmunna, the Midianite kings.” But the leaders in Succoth said, “You’re on a wild goose chase; why should we help you on a fool’s errand?” Gideon said, “If you say so. But when God gives me Zebah and Zalmunna, I’ll give you a thrashing, whip your bare flesh with desert thorns and thistles!” He went from there to Peniel and made the same request. The men of Peniel, like the men of Succoth, also refused. Gideon told them, “When I return safe and sound, I’ll demolish this tower.” 8:4-9

Succoth was part of the Exodus route. The Israelites crossed through this land on their way from exile into freedom. The leaders here saw God deliver His people; yet they were more worried about savings themselves than trusting God would save them.

When we have fear over our lives, we neglect to see the power of God, and forfeit a victory for ourselves. That brings consequences. The Lord chooses people to do His work. He can accomplish His will, without us, but he gives us the great honor and privilege to be a part of it anyway. The Lord requires us to join others that are doing things for Him, by lending our time, money, talents, and prayers.

There was a time when I was faced with a decision about moving forward in serving the Lord. The Lord very clearly spoke to me and said, "I don't NEED you to do anything, but if you don't do this, I will ask someone else." I think back on that a lot, and then I look at all that the Lord has let me be a part of since that time, and how much I would have missed had I not said "yes" to Him. Someone else would have gotten to love on all my kids. Someone else would have gotten to walk through the journey in Midtown. Someone else would have gotten to experience all the great things I have been able to over the last few years. I am so glad I didn't give that gift to someone else!

We don't HAVE TO, we GET TO. That changes your perspective on everything.

"Gideon went up the caravan trail east of Nobah and Jogbehah, found and attacked the undefended camp. Zebah and Zalmunna fled, but he chased and captured the two kings of Midian. The whole camp had panicked. Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by way of the Heres Pass. He captured a young man from Succoth and asked some questions. The young man wrote down the names of the officials and leaders of Succoth, seventy-seven men. Then Gideon went to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are the wild geese, Zebah and Zalmunna, you said I’d never catch. You wouldn’t give so much as a scrap of bread to my worn-out men; you taunted us, saying that we were on a fool’s errand.” Then he took the seventy-seven leaders of Succoth and thrashed them with desert thorns and thistles. And he demolished the tower of Peniel and killed the men of the city. He then addressed Zebah and Zalmunna: “Tell me about the men you killed at Tabor.” “They were men much like you,” they said, “each one like a king’s son.” Gideon said, “They were my brothers, my mother’s sons. As God lives, if you had let them live, I would let you live.” Then he spoke to Jether, his firstborn: “Get up and kill them.” But he couldn’t do it, couldn’t draw his sword. He was afraid—he was still just a boy. Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Do it yourself—if you’re man enough!” And Gideon did it. He stepped up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna. Then he took the crescents that hung on the necks of their camels." 8:10-21

Gideon did what he said he was going to. He moved forward, but he still came back and "thrashed them with thorns and thistles." I can't really understand why Gideon didn't just move forward without this punishment, being faithful to the Lord and letting the Lord handle the selfishness of the people. Even though the leaders in Succoth showed no respect for Gideon, or God, their punishment was not Gideon's responsibility.

Two things here:

1 - We should always leave the judgement and punishment up to God. Even when we think we have to right to do so.
2 - We should always help others because it is right, regardless of whether we will benefit personally from doing it.

It can get hard to serve the Lord, and serve people. There are very few times when I have been given anything back, from those that I give to. In my flesh, I feel like "Hey, what about me? I deserve at least a thank you, or something!" But then I remember who I am giving to. Not to the person, not to myself, I am giving in the name and in the honor of the Lord. And for ALL He has done for me, and continues to do, how could I be so selfish to think I am owed something in return.

a reasonable act of worship.

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." Romans 12:1-2

I am learning how to give up being selfish, and grow into being sacred.

I just wonder......if the leaders in Succoth would have done the same......