Day 111: A Little is Best

Acts 17:16-34; Judges 7-8; Job 37

Things are not so different today from the time of Paul in Athens.  People are pursuing all sorts of other things, some of them aren't even bad or evil things!  The Stoics were trying to live self-controled lives, a very valuable trait to have; the Epicurians were seeking happiness, which in an of itself is good.  People today pursue relationships, career success, happiness, and even peace, all of which are good, but they will not bring salvation and will not be fulfilling to the soul.  Paul didn't write these people off just because they scoffed at him.  He met them where they were and offered them Truth in the midst of their mis-guided lives.  It is important however, that he did not judge them or make fun of them for their beliefs.  He had compassion on these people and spoke that way.

I think it is so awesome that God tells Gideon to keep reducing his army.  Bigger is not necessarily better in God's eyes.  God wants to do much with the little we have.  Sometimes I feel like I don't have much to offer--I'm not super skilled at any one thing.  I do okay at this and that, but all God wants is my faithfulness.  If I doubt that God will use the little I have to offer, then I am doubting God's power.  If he can make the universe from nothing, he can draw out great things from you and me.

The only bummer part about Gideon's story is that he and the people of Israel forget about what God has done for them.  Gideon seems fairly weak-minded anyway and he and his family get roped into worshipping some other god.  After his experiences, Gideon should have stepped up; but how often do we, too, forget the great things God has done and revert back to our wimpy, timid selves?  Being bold to stand up for what we believe is hard--I can't even guarantee that I can do it all the time--but I pray that we can learn to not succumb to the pressure of disobedience from our friends or even family, despite their good intentions.

For almost 37 whole chapters, Job and his friends have been arguing, lamenting, complaining.  They are having this wonderfully philosophical conversation about God--questioning him, considering his ways.  And God?  He has spent almost 37 chapters just hanging out, listening to these men who think they know it all.  Sometimes, God seems like he has left the building, that he doesn't care, and isn't paying attention.  But, the truth is, God is here, we just have to shut up long enough to hear from him.  So the next time we are tempted to question God, to speak and beg for an answer, why don't we just close our mouths and open our hearts so that he can whisper his life-giving truths to us.