Mark 10:46-52 (ESV) And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
This took place a week before Jesus’ death, being his last miracle. The beggar called out, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” indicating His royal origin Messianic title describing Jesus Christ as man, a savior of His people. This is who the beggar believed Jesus to be.
Isaiah 11:1-3a (NIV) “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”
Jesus responds to my faith.
“There is a sound I love to hear It’s the sound of the Saviour’s robe As He walks into the room where people pray Where we hear praises He hears faith”
Jewish people believed illness and disability was a punishment from God because of personal sin committed. “Be silent”, was their response. In their opinion, he didn’t deserve to have Jesus listen to him.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) For we live by faith, not by sight.
James 2:17 (NIRV) It is the same with faith. If it doesn’t cause us to do something, it’s dead.
Praise is an expression of our faith. Faith causes us to act on what we know, not on what is seen. Ill. Dylan jumping off a stump.
Jesus responds to my posture.
“Awake my soul and sing Sing His praise aloud sing His praise aloud Oh awake my soul and sing Sing His praise aloud sing His praise aloud. There is a sound that changes things The sound of His people on their knees Oh wake up you slumbering It’s time to worship Him”
Now why is it amazing that he throws off his cloak? Well, for most people living in first century Palestine, a person’s cloak was their most valuable possession. Cloaks were expensive, thick, heavy garments, and the average person could only afford one. They weren’t simply outer garments meant to be worn outdoors, nor were they fashion statements. Cloaks were functional, multipurpose garments. In addition to functioning as a coat in cold weather, they were also used as a blanket at nighttime. And, for a blind beggar like Bartimaeus, he most likely spread his cloak out in front of him during the daytime to collect any coins or loose change that passerbys might toss his way.
His cloak represented a way of life for him. He had learned to cope and survive in an existence devoid of intimacy, connection, kindness and care. He leaves his cloak on the ground, trusts
Jesus fully to heal him. The road is crowded and he is blind. He will be in dire straits if his cloak is kicked along or stolen.
My attention is drawn to the posture of Bartimaeus in two ways:
1.Heart Posture “Awake my soul and sing”
Hebrews 13:15 (ESV) Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Psalm 71:8 (ESV) My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
Isaiah 25:1 (ESV) O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
Psalm 103:1 (ESV) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Physical Posture “The sound of His people on their knees”
Quote: “Your heart is caught up in the experience of the moment, which causes your body to respond outwardly. We were created as holistic beings with intellects, emotions, and bodies all working in concert with one another to express ourselves.”
Kneeling Psalm 95:6 (ESV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
Lifting Up Hands Psalm 63:3-4 (ESV) Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as live;in your name I will lift up my hands.
Dancing Psalm 149:3 (NIRV) Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music to him with harps and tambourines.
Clapping Hands Psalm 47:1 (NIV) Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
Shouting Psalm 71:23 (NIRV) My lips will shout with joy when I sing praise to you. You have saved me.
Praising In Tongues 1 Corinthains 14:1-2 (ESV) Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
Laying Prostrate Numbers 20:6 (ESV) Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them Revelation 7:11 (ESV) And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God Matthew 26:39 (ESV) And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
We value the presence of God in this house. Why do you think we invite you to join us up front to worship?
Jesus responds to my request.
“And when He moves and when we pray Where stood a wall now stands a way Where every promise is amen (it is so) And when He moves make no mistake The bowels of hell begin to shake All hail the Lord all hail the King”
Luke 18:40 “And when he came near, he asked him
Atmosphere/circumstances shift through worship inspired by our faith and posture.
1 Corinthians 24-5 (NIV) 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
Ephesians 3:20 (NIRV) God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
FAITH IS POWER!
Revelation 5:11-14 (NIRV) Then I looked and heard the voice of millions and millions of angels. They surrounded the throne. They surrounded the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying, “The Lamb, who was put to death, is worthy! He is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength! He is worthy to receive honor and glory and praise!” All creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea were speaking. The whole creation was speaking. I heard all of them say, “Praise and honor belong to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb! Glory and power belong to God for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
Introduction:
Today I’d like you to take a journey with me through the book of Nehemiah. If you don’t know who he is, you will by the end of my message. He was given an assignment from God, one man, to reboot the dream of a nation. Today, as the church, we are called to be a Nehemiah.
Title: Dream Reboot
Chapter 1
The book opens after a remnant of Jews had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon with Ezra. They went back to rebuild the temple of God.
Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the King Artaxerxes. It was a highly trusted position, during a time of war and treason. He poured the king drinks.
One day his brother and his friends came to visit Nehemiah. He asked how things were going with the Jews that had returned.
His brother reported that things were not going well. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem had been torn down and the gates had been destroyed by fire.
Nehemiah begins to pray. “God remember what you told Moses? If you disobey me, I’ll scatter you, but if you come back to me no matter where my people are I’ll put them back in place, those I choose to mark with my name.” Let the king be kind to me today.”
Chapter 2
He went in to serve wine to the king. He asked Nehemiah, “Why are you sad?” This was his opportunity, though he was terrified. He proceeds The city of my family is in ruins and the city gates are down.
“What do you want?”
Send me to Judah where my family is buried so I can rebuild its wall and gates. He went as far as to ask the king for letters to validate this quest. The letters represented the king’s orders for safe journey and provision of materials for the rebuild. On top of that, the king sent an army escort for safe travel.
The enemies Sanballat and Tobiah heard what was going on, they became angry that anyone would come to help the people. They began to mock their efforts.
Nehemiah arrived and had been there for three days before doing anything. He finally went out at night, assessed the damage and came up with a plan.
Nehemiah’s Dream Reboot
2:17-18 He went back to the people and said “Jerusalem is a wreck. Let’s rebuild the wall and set the city gates. Let’s not live in this disgrace any longer.” The people were eager to get started. They agreed and said, “Let’s get started!”
v. 19 The enemy showed up. “Ha, what do you think you are doing?”
v.20 Nehemiah responded “God will help us. He will make sure we succeed! You have no say in this!”
Chapter 3
The rebuilding of the wall and gates begin. People jumped in and worked together.
Why was the rebuilding of the wall so important?
With no wall, the city was vulnerable to attack. They appeared weak and open for an enemy to get in. The thought was to build the wall only to half it’s height, to begin, and enclose it. This way if an enemy was going to try to get in, they would have to first scale the wall. They would have to work to get in. As they completed a portion of the wall, they then restructured the gates. The plan was to work till they were completely closed in.
God had a dream for the Jews. To set them up in land flowing with milk and honey. He would bless them and provide all they needed. This is what they were fighting for. It was worth protecting. Nehemiah and the people were working to keep the dream alive!
Chapter 4
1-2 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he exploded in anger, vilifying the Jews. In the company of his Samaritan cronies and military he let loose: “What are these miserable Jews doing? Do they think they can get everything back to normal overnight? Make building stones out of make-believe?” 3 At his side, Tobiah the Ammonite jumped in and said, “That’s right! What do they think they’re building? Why, if a fox climbed that wall, it would fall to pieces under his weight.” (MSG)
V 4-5 How did Nehemiah handle it? He did not engage with the enemy but prayed instead.
v. 6 The people kept on working, they were almost done, things were coming together, they had a heart to work.
Nehemiah 4:7-9 “When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairs of the walls of Jerusalem were going so well—that the breaks in the wall were being fixed—they were absolutely furious. They put their heads together and decided to fight against Jerusalem and create as much trouble as they could.” (MSG)
v. 9 The people countered with prayer and set a round-the-clock guard against them.
They were working hard, it was a big job. The people were getting tired. Their spirit was weakening. Fear and Discouragement saw their opportunity to set in.
Nehemiah 4:10 “But soon word was going around in Judah, The builders are pooped, the rubbish piles up; We’re in over our heads, we can’t build this wall. 11-12 And all this time our enemies were saying, “They won’t know what hit them. Before they know it we’ll be at their throats, killing them right and left. That will put a stop to the work!” The Jews who were their neighbors kept reporting, “They have us surrounded; they’re going to attack!” If we heard it once, we heard it ten times.” (MSG)
v. 13 So I stationed guards at the most vulnerable places with swords, lances and bows.
Nehemiah 4:14 “After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: “Don’t be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” (MSG)
v. 15-18 The enemies plans were frustrated. The people went back to the wall and went to work.
½ young men worked while ½ stood guard.
Military officers served as back up for everyone working
Common laborers were to hold a tool in one hand and a spear in the other
Each builder had a sword strapped to his side as he worked
Nehemiah kept a trumpeter with him to sound an alarm; if heard, the people were to all gather together in that place
“Our God will fight for us!”
The people worked by day and guarded by night.
They slept in their clothes and kept a spear in their hand, even when getting water.
Nehemiah had to reboot the dream God had given to His people!
You have one enemy, the devil. He has one goal in mind and will stop at no means to accomplish that task. He wants to kill your dream!
John 10: 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (NLT)
1 Peter 5: 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (NLT)
3 Take Aways from Nehemiah 4:14:
1. Fear/discouragement – will intimidate, lie, stop your momentum and try to kill your dream.
Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (NLT)
2. Mind – Your mind will need to stay focused on your dream.
Isaiah 26:3“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (NLT)
3. Fight – be prepared to fight for your dream.
Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (NLT)
Closing:
Nehemiah 4:27-29 When it came time for the dedication of the wall, they tracked down and brought in the Levites from all their homes in Jerusalem to carry out the dedication exuberantly: thanksgiving hymns, songs, cymbals, harps, and lutes. 31-36 I had the leaders of Judah come up on the wall, and I appointed two large choirs. One proceeded on the wall to the right…38-39 The other choir proceeded to the left. I and half of the people followed them on the wall.” (MSG)
What did the enemy say early on? “Why, if a fox climbed that wall, it would fall to pieces under his weight.”
The enemy does not have the final say in anything concerning you and the things of God!
Do you need a dream reboot? If you are child of God, your dream is God given. Like Nehemiah, you need to fight for it. If you feel like your life is not worth a dream, God has one for you!
Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NLT)
4 The Lord gave me this message: 5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. 6 “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” 7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” 9 Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! 10 Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.”
Those in the Bible who stretched for more: Abraham, Gideon, David, Moses, Ruth, Jeremiah, Joshua, Esther
“The STRETCH is the catalyst that unlocks the MORE that He has. As I do my part, God will miraculously do His part!”
catalyst: something that causes activity, an event, or change. And usually, these events and changes are big.
God will release abilities that have remained dormant as you begin to stretch.
“Your best unfolds when God is permitted to build a better you,” Ps. Steve
Excuses that get in the way of stretching for more:
Offenses from others in church family.
Believe to be unqualified for the job.
Refusing to give up control of how much to give out.
Stretching through those excuses:
Go to God’s word
Pray scripture audibly
Spiritual counsel
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Philippians 1:6 (CEV) God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.
Oswald Chambers: “Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says, ‘I cannot stand anymore.' God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”
Isaiah 54:2 (NIV) “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
What Is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1 (CEV) Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Faith is something that begins small.
Matthew 17 (CEV) 14 Jesus and his disciples returned to the crowd. A man knelt in front of him 15 and said, “Lord, have pity on my son! He has a bad case of epilepsy and often falls into a fire or into water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but none of them could heal him.” 17 Jesus said, “You people are too stubborn to have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here.” 18 Then Jesus spoke sternly to the demon. It went out of the boy, and right then he was healed. 19 Later the disciples went to Jesus in private and asked him, “Why couldn’t we force out the demon?” 20-21 Jesus replied: It is because you don’t have enough faith! But I can promise you this. If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.
Matthew 17:20-21 Jesus replied: It is because you don’t have enough faith! But I can promise you this. If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.\
Mustard seeds are planted in a container filled with damp sand, and pressed into the sand's surface. The sand is kept at a specific temperature for optimal results. The seeds can begin to sprout within 24 hours indoors. Because mustard trees grow slowly, waiting until your trees are up to 3 years old may be necessary before transplanting them outdoors. The mustard tree of Scripture is found along the banks of the Jordan, near the Sea of Galilee, and near Damascus. Mustard plants may reach about 15 feet high in those areas.
Faith is encouraged by the faith of others.
Romans 1:12 (NLT) When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Matthew 18:20 (CEV) Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.
Exodus 17:11-12 (NIV) 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset
Faith is awakened by the spoken word of God.
John 15:7 (CEV) Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered.
1 John 5:14-15 (ESV) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Romans 10:17 (ESV) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Luke 4:1-14 (NLT) Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’ 6 “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” 8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him. 9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. 11 And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. 12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’ 13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
Faith is activated when set into motion.
James 2:14 (CEV) 14 My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you?
James 2:21-22 (NLT) 21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.
Joshua 3:14-17 (CEV) 14 The Israelites packed up and left camp. The priests carrying the chest walked in front, 15 until they came to the Jordan River. The water in the river had risen over its banks, as it often does in springtime. But as soon as the feet of the priests touched the water, 16-17 the river stopped flowing, and the water started piling up at the town of Adam near Zarethan. No water flowed toward the Dead Sea, and the priests stood in the middle of the dry riverbed near Jericho while everyone else crossed over.
Just Push – Author Unknown - http://www.inspire21.com/stories/faithstories/JustPush - A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might.
Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it." Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure, these thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.
"Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough." And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"
The Lord responded compassionately, "My child, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinew and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock."
At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the mountains.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. -- Romans 1:16
Judges 6:1 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years… 6 And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the Lord. (ESV)
The Israelites were facing adverse circumstances
adverse-opposing one's interests or desire.
Judges 6:7 When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord on account of the Midianites, 8 the Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel...10 And I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.” (ESV)
The people were blaming God for their problems but it was their own disobedience that put them in this predicament. But God heard them and called out from among them a warrior.
Judges 6:11 Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. (ESV)
Gideon was a farmer. He was being resourceful and found a way to provide for his family. The beating of wheat normally took place at the threshing floor. Threshing was done in a big open area where the wind could blow away the chaff (outer shell) of the grain. The wind helped to make the work easier. He was in a winepress beating wheat. It was a hole in the ground with no wind making it harder work. He was all about surviving. He was living in the moment and failed to look ahead for what God had for him or the people. Gideon had limited vision of his next steps.
I do not believe it was a coincidence that Gideon was found in the winepress. I see it as a symbolism. Grapes go into the winepress as fruit and come out juice. They go in one way and come out something different. Gideon saw himself one way but God was about to extract something more from him.
Just like God saw Gideon, God sees you: School Teacher, C3Kids Teacher, Stay-At-Home Mom, Ministry Leader, Medical Professional, Worship Team…
God wants to extract something more from you! In the midst of his adverse circumstances God had plans for Gideon. His adversity was not a limitation but an opportunity. It was the opportunity to take the next steps for life, but he could not see past the obstacles.
What obstacles keep you from the next step?
1. Hesitation to commit to the next step.
Judges 6:12 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” 13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” (ESV)
During this time of adverse circumstances as a church family, I have heard many say, “I know God is wanting me to take that next step, but I have trouble committing.”
Why? It will cost me something. In hesitating you fail to obey.
2. Feeling unqualified to take the next step.
Judges 6:14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” 15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” (ESV)
God expands and uses the abilities He already built into us. Some may already know the next steps; get going in that direction. Some may not have any idea; start taking steps toward something. Parents, if your child shows an interest in something resource that desire.
3. Strongholds keeping you from taking the next step.
Judges 6:16 And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” (ESV)
A stronghold is a fortress. It was designed not only keeps things in but also keep things out. God is a force that wants to come into your life, but the walls are high. What strongholds are keeping you from taking your next step?
Holding on to an offense, a friendship gone bad, failed business venture, making a judgement due to a past experience.
God says to you, “But I will be with you.”
In spite of his obstacles, Gideon chose to take the next steps in faith! I would like to quote Ps. Phil Pringle from his book, You The Leader. He says,“God also tests faith before it is trusted with great exploits.”
In Judges 6-8 we can read about Gideon’s great exploits. God did not waste any time. As soon as Gideon took that next step in faith, he sent him to chop down their false gods. Gideon is also commended in Hebrews 11 as a man of faith.
Avoid the obstacle and see your next steps:
Be obedient in taking the next steps regardless of the cost; no time to hesitate
Be confident that God has qualified you for the next step; you have the abilities
Be assured that God will be with you in taking the next step; surrender your stronghold