READING FOR JANUARY 31, 2025: JUDGES 7, JOHN 21, PSALM 150 JUDGES 7 God defeats the Midian by reducing Gideon’s army from 22,000 to 300
This chapter points to the counter-intuitive way God seems to operate. When Israel faced a foe that overwhelmingly outnumbered it, God told Gideon he had way too many men. He first reduced the number through sending home the frightened (this writer would be gone). Then He constructedan ingenious lapping test to determine if they had the alertness for battle. God can work with amazingly few to achieve great victories if they follow His word completely. In fact, God wanted just 300 men so that they would know that God won, not them. The top X at left marks Midian’s camp at the Well of Harod. Gideon snuck into the camp to learn that in fact, Midian was afraid of Gideon because God had revealed to them that God was with him. Gideon armed his 300 men with trumpets and torches. He placed them in three groups around the camp. In the middle of the night, they blew their trumpets, flashed their torches, and shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” This led to total chaos and fleeing Midianites.
Gideon then called men from Ephraim to pursue Midian. They met them at Beth-Barah, where Ephraim captured Midian’s co-leaders. The remaining Midianites crossed the Jordan River where the two leaders were beheaded and ultimately brought back to Gideon.
JOHN 21 The last verse of chapter 20 seems a logical conclusion to John’s gospel. It spells out his purpose for writing: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (20:31) Rather than ending there, though, John tells one more story to affirm his friend and fellow apostle, Peter.
John wants his readers to understand that Peter’s life was not defined by his denial of knowing Jesus. Although John doesn’t mention it, Peter’s denial had been quite adamant even to the point of calling down curses on himself. Matthew records this fact, “Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" (Matthew 26:74) Can you imagine how Peter must have felt after such an epic failure? Jesus had given him a new name that means “rock,” but when the testing came, he had been more like blowing sand. John 21 tells the story of Jesus reaching out to him and assuring him that God still had a use for him in the kingdom. Jesus does not let Peter wallow in guilt
Have you ever been overwhelmed with guilt because of a failure in your life? Maybe you have been beating yourself up because you denied Jesus by your words, thoughts or actions. Now a voice of condemnation cries out, “Blasphemy! You knew who Jesus was, and you denied him. You have committed an unpardonable sin.
READING FOR JANUARY 31, 2025 CONTINUED: JOHN 21, PSALM 150
You can never be saved now. Not after what you have done.” It is a lie from Satan that tells you that you have sinned one time too many…that you have crossed the line. God is NOT angry at you. The story in John 21 reminds us that we do not have to let failure keep us down. If God can use Peter after his failure, then God can still use you after your failure.
When Jesus gave Peter a new start, he gave him a living hope that was greater than his failure. It was a living hope because it was grounded in resurrection, grounded in the triumph of God over the sins of the world and over our accuser. Because Peter knew Jesus was alive, he knew there was great mercy every time he failed.
And Peter failed again. In Galatians, Paul says he had to oppose Peter because Peter was clearly in the wrong. Peter had allowed his fear of men to temporarily cloud his understanding of the gospel. But it is evident that Peter received this correction and repented of his failure and continued on as a rock. No matter what your “denial” might have been, know today that the Risen Christ reaches out to you today with arms wide open ready to receive you, to love you, to disciple you, and to use you.
We have reached the end of this beloved gospel. What do you think? Has John accomplished his goal? Has your faith increased that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God? Could you sense John’s love for Jesus? Are you drawn in by Jesus’ absolute love for his Father? And the Father’s love for the Son? Have you seen that, rather than a loving Jesus rescuing us from an angry God – as the message is often distorted – the God of love (Father, Son, and Spirit completely united in loving purpose) acted to rescue us from the evil one and from slavery to sin and death?
Are you living in the peace that comes with greater knowledge of God’s nearness and attentive, loving presence? Is your heart rejoicing in the goodness of God’s ways, shown to us by Jesus who knew Father and made him known to us? Are you more deeply committed to obeying Jesus, believing joyful trust and obedience to be the way to peace and the way to the life that is truly life and that will never end? Thanks be to God!
PSALM 150 The mighty book of Psalms is fittingly concluded with a Psalm overflowing with praise. In the mere six verses, the word praise appears 13 times. The Hebrew word translated as “praise” here is hal·lū, which Strong translates as “shine.” This gives a meaningful slant on what praising God does. It shines a light on God, all his attributes and accomplishments. Verses 3-5 direct that this praise utilize instruments, such as loud and resounding cymbals, tam-- bourines, and trumpets. Verse 2 is a vital reminder that this praise or light must shine solely on this God of excellent greatness and mighty deeds. How easy it might be for those participat-- ing or even leading such ruckus praise to allow this light to shine on the musicians (i.e. worship band) rather than on the surpassing great God. Let’s all be on guard. Praise God.
