the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 2 of 5
Judges 8:1-17
The lessons in humility which God taught Gideon have borne fruit. He is ready to recognize the part that others have played in gaining the victory. And the anger of the men of Ephraim disappears before his quiet answer emphasizing the importance of what they had done (vv. 2, 3). Stressing the work of others and appreciating the value of their good points instead of laying emphasis on our work and on our good points is a fruit of the divine life which has nothing in common with hypocritical human diplomacy. Peter reminds us that a meek and quiet spirit is of great value before God (1 Peter 3:4). God chose the 300 soldiers well. They take no notice of their tiredness, their own comfort, nor of their thirst beside the stream (Judges 7). They have one goal and they pursue it to the end (v. 4). "This one thing I do," declares Paul, "I press toward the mark," (Philippians 3:14). "Cast down, but not destroyed," he says elsewhere (2 Corinthians 4:9). Like Gideon with the men of Succoth and Penuel, the apostle was to face the painful experience of everyone having abandoned him (2 Timothy 4:16). But what a contrast with Gideon’s harsh vengeance. Paul could add, as a true disciple of his Master, "I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge."
