Israel had forgotten that the secret of their strength was their separation to the Lord and they had become like the nations about them. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian.
This divine retribution affected their homes, crops, and livestock so much that Israel was greatly impoverished. Would to God that we could learn the lesson that whenever we as God’s children conform to the world it will leave us ‘greatly impoverished’ spiritually. God has separated us to Himself for a purpose and for our blessing; how tragic it is when due to our disobedience we are forced to live in dens. But we turn from the opening words of this chapter which demonstrate the defeat and despondency of Israel, to Gideon, a man who was deeply burdened, and a man God was going to use. It is encouraging to realise that He was useful to God even though he had doubts about the situation Israel faced (v13).
1) He was burdened to prepare something for himself (v11). Although he questioned why things were as they were he was not going to allow the enemy to take it all. He was busy and it was while he threshed wheat that the Lord appeared to him. There has never been a time when a generation has been more educated than ours with A levels, degrees and more, yet the same level of dedication to study God’s Word is sadly rarely seen. Don’t moan that you are not being fed by others … feed yourself daily from His Word; it is then the Lord can reveal Himself to you.
2) He was burdened to present something to the Lord (v18). It took some preparation but he was not deterred. If he had not threshed the wheat he could not have offered the cakes! The Lord’s satisfaction in the offering is seen in the fact that it was consumed by divine fire. Do you have the burden that Gideon had to offer something to the Lord? Daily He desires your worship (Rom 12:1), a living sacrifice devoted to Him. When the Lord’s people gather at the Lord’s Supper do you come burdened to participate audibly or inaudibly if you are a sister?
May we today seek to emulate Gideon’s desires and in doing so bring the Lord pleasure and prove that God is with us of a truth!
Reports
The assembly in Tayport had the Bible Exhibition in their recently extended and refurbished hall at the beginning of September and it proved to be a very profitable week.
The small assembly in Stornoway on the island of Lewis must be one of the most isolated in the UK, and does not get many visitors.
4 weeks of Tent meetings on a School playing field in Bicester with Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen in August saw over 70 unsaved in attendance and one young girl professing to be saved.The children's meetings in the mornings of the first week, conducted by local brethren, saw new contacts being made.
Alan Barber writes about the Tall Ships opportunity in Hartllepool
The small assembly in Stromness again used the occasion of the annual July “shopping week” to reach out with the gospel.
Outreach and Encouragement
Here are a number of reports for Co. Antrim and also notice of some forthcoming meetings D.V.
Belmont Hall, Harrow, held its 21st Annual Holiday Bible Club for 3 hours every afternoon from 26th-30th July. The theme for the week was the “I am” sayings of Christ. About 45 attended each day. The assembly was very encouraged that over half of the children were new contacts, with some very keen to join the Sunday School and mid-week children’s meeting when they resume in September.
The assembly at Chappell Street invited Stephen Grant to conduct a series of gospel meetings in June. There was good support from other assemblies in Renfrewshire.The assembly was encouraged by the attendance of some from the town who must have been challenged by the powerful messages delivered each night. The gospel was also brought before the town in the many invitations distributed before and during the meetings. We pray that we shall yet see fruit from the seed sown.
Tent meetings began in late July. Good response in the morning children's meetings and help to preach in the evenings for Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen (Canada).
Nitish and Elen Patel write in their newsletter;
Gospel meetings with Roland Pickering.
Alan Barber reports from Hartlepool.
Various Reports from NI at end June
Various meetings to be held D.V. for your prayerful interest and support.
J Rogers was with this small assembly for the four weeks of June. 10,000 invitations were distributed. Good numbers attended, some local, others from neighbouring assemblies. M Radcliffe helped for the first 2 weeks and W Fenton for the last 2 weeks. There was help to preach and the Christians were encouraged. Prayer appreciated for this needy area.