2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.  Hebrews 11:6 NLT

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith. 8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:7-8 NLT

 

13 All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16 NLT

 

39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us. Hebrews 11:39-40 NLT

 

32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back again from death. Hebrews 11:32-35 NLT

 

Israel’s Cycle: Judges 2:1-3 NLT

F aithful

A bandonment

T yranny 

H elp

E mbrace 

R escue

 

Principal: When things are good, we often forget about God.

Gideon’s Story Summary / Judges 6-8 

1. Israel disobeys, God hands them over to Midian (6:1)
2. Israel cries out to God, and He sends a prophet (6:7)
3. Angel appears to Gideon “Mighty hero” (6:11)
4. Gideon questions about their circumstances (6:13)
5. God calls Gideon, Gideon doubts, God assures him (6:14)
6. Gideon requires a sign, God accommodates (6:17)
7. Gideon builds an altar “Yahweh-Shalom” (6:24)
8. God tests Gideon’s faithfulness, requires a clean house (6:25)
9. An alliance is formed against Israel (6:33)
10. God clothes Gideon with power, Gideon calls army (6:34)
11. Gideon asks for two signs (fleece), God accommodates (6:36)
12. God reduces Gideon’s army 1:450 (7:1-*)
13. God offers assurance, “IF you are afraid…” (7:9)
14. Despite overwhelming odds, Gideon finally assured (7:11-14)
15. Gideon is simultaneously humbled and emboldened, and is victorious (7:15)
16. Gideon repeats Israel’s cycle (8:24-27)

 

Next Steps: Examine Myself

• SEEK: Do I take time to seek God in word and prayer?
• DO: Does my life show evidence that I trust God?
• KNOW: God is a tender, loving, patient, merciful, and gracious FATHER who delights in my growth.