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20514 Man in Mirror

in response, God sent an angel to a man named Gideon. He was hiding from the Midianites, trying to keep them from stealing his family’s food. The angel greeted this cowering man as a “mighty warrior.” While we generally see ourselves as we are, God sees us as we will be. Gideon responded by asking why these horrible things were happening to his family and his nation. He even expressed his belief that God had abandoned them. God didn’t answer Gideon’s questions. He simply said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand” (Judges 6:14). In a similar way, God won’t necessarily answer our questions about why things are the way they are. But He does call each of His followers to be His redeeming agent in the culture around us. We are His plan for transforming our world.  WEEK Week 8 Today’s devotional says, “While we generally see ourselves as we are, God sees us as we will be.” When has God revealed to you that He sees you in a different way than you see yourself? How? 43 Monday—November 27•“Mighty Warrior”? 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.” (Judges 6:11–12) Judges 6 explains that the Israelites had abandoned the lifestyle that God desired, so He allowed them to be oppressed by the Midianites. Finally, the Israelites cried out for help, and Daily Reading: Daniel 4:1–37, 2 Peter 1:1–21, Psalm 119:97–112, Proverbs 28:17–18 Tuesday—November 28•You Can Do Anything “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.” (Judges 6:15–16) An angel appeared to Gideon, telling the young man that God wanted him to deliver his nation from the oppression of the Midianites. Gideon was understandably hesitant, and he pointed out to the angel that his family was the weakest in Israel, and he was the weakest in his family. How was he supposed to do what God desired? God didn’t say, “Oops! I guess I’m talking to the wrong guy! I meant to give this message to someone else!” He didn’t accuse Gideon of false modesty. He wasn’t surprised by Gideon’s lack of power or position or status. But He implied that it didn’t matter. Gideon asked, “Given my limitations, how am I supposed to do what You’ve asked?” God simply replied, “I’ll be with you.” God says the same thing to every person who follows Him. You may feel you’re the most unlikely person to do the task that God has quickened to your mind. But if God has given you a passion, He also will give you the ability and resources to accomplish His desire.  WEEK Week 8 Has God given you a specific passion or desire? Have you seen Him working through you? Why or why not? Daily Reading: Daniel 5:1–31, 2 Peter 2:1–22, Psalm 119:113–128, Proverbs 28:19–20


20514 Man in Mirror
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