Thought 1

Being an authentic follower….

Judges 6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.

There are people that God has placed ready, prepared and standing-by, to bless you, to follow your leadership, to have their legacy impacted by your legacy. Your motivations in leadership are required to be “so that” others may taste the benefits. Your motivations are called to step forwards, to stand front and center to be seen and examined under the watchful eyes of others. Leadership will draw scrutiny.

The Abiezrites [their name means “father who helps”] is the weakest clan in the tribe of Manasseh [which means “he who makes to forget”]. We can read in Judges Ch7 how God chooses 10000 people from the weakest clan, from a half tribe, and reduces this down  by stages to 300 people – and demonstrates that what is possible with God, starts and ends with His name and has nothing to do with our strength. (Judges 7:14 And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.”)

Gideon had confronted detestable practices – destroying the artefacts of the religious icons of others who were damaging the relationship between Israel and God. Gideon means, “he who hacks down”. When there is a reaction against him Gideon calls out for help on the trumpet to the Abiezrites.

What wonderful imagery is painted for us in this story. An authentic leader takes the action he was born for, and God already has in place the very people who will rise up to stand with him.

When we read further into this story of Gideon we will see how God led him step by step, even through his own insecurities and fears, Gideon will lead one of the greatest recorded victories ever. Gideon was authentically himself, every step of the way, what set him apart was the relationship he had with God and the resulting favour God showed him.

If we as leaders expect others to rise and follow us in times of challenge, then we are called to be authentic, our weaknesses not covered up, but recognized and owned. No group can rise above the constraints of its leadership, and inauthenticity is a sizeable and significant constraint. We are called to develop a very close relationship with God, and to walk in obedience to his directions, no matter the size of the challenge or the potential outcomes. When we are consumed in following after God, others will be inspired to rise up and fulfil their calling as well.

Gideon was hesitant, lacked confidence and needed constant reassuring. God met him where he was and took him on the journey. Others followed and were prepared to enter the battle. God was using Gideon’s strength of authenticity, yet at the same time working through Gideon’s weaknesses of doubt and fear to make His name famous. It’s this tension that sits at the heart of this passage. God uses our strengths and works through our weaknesses. It is never about us using God to make ourselves famous. Gideon had genuine doubts and fears, and needed constant encouragement, but at the heart of the journey that Gideon was taking we see such genuine authenticity, trust and obedience, and that’s the heart that God wants to work with.

 

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Thought 2

 

ESV – English Standard Version

Zeph 3:17

The Lord your God is in your midst,
    a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

 

Allan’s Unauthorised Version [AUV]

Zep 3:17

Yahweh, who has established a personal relationship with you,

based on his promises to you, who is your Elohiym, your triune God of majesty and great power,

is living in your heart, in the seat of your emotions, in the most inner parts of your being.

He is a full on warrior and an invincible guard,

he delivers, save and rescues, both here and now, and into eternity.

He will engrave his love and friendship on you

as he establishes you in his family with his unfailing promises.

The heavens resound with his shouts of gladness over you,

he shouts and cries with joy over you. He is always pleading with you to come closer.

 

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Thought 3

Remember Me……

Remember Me……

Joseph wanted to be remembered when he was unjustly stuck in prison, Samson cried out to be remembered after he had blown it, Hannah cried out to God to remember her in her barren condition, Hezekiah is facing an untimely and inglorious death when the words “remember me” make their presence known. His son Manssseh is back to the wall in trouble of his own making when he finally calls out to be remembered. Nehemiah is in the thick of the “between times” when being remembered is a critical need. Job wants to know he is remembered in the depth of his trials, David wants God to remember him along with his people. Jeremiah is literally stuck in the mud when he calls out to be remembered. We don’t know his name, we do know he was a thief, and was being crucified beside Jesus when he called out to be remembered.

So many mighty people, world changers, world shapers, have had their moments of despair, doubt and darkness, when the earnest prayer came to their lips “remember me”.  Jesus also knew dark moments and he also wants us to remember.

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Today, Jesus wants us to remember him………..

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