Quiet Time

I have been so encouraged in my quiet time this month. We have been reading Judges, and the stories of Gideon and Samson have come alive to me again.

Gideon was so unbelieving - over and over and over again God gave him sign after sign! Then God says that He is ready to deliver the Midianites into Gideon's hands, BUT if Gideon is afraid (still after all those signs?) that he should go down to the Midianite camp and God will give him another sign, and HE GOES! God has so much patience with his lack of faith! And it's amazing to me that what causes him to believe that God will give the Midianites into their hands is an unbeliever's dream and it's interpretation.

Samson was so bad! He is not what you think of when you think of an example you would like to follow, yet God used him over and over to fulfill God's purposes! And yet, we are told in Hebrews 11:32-33, "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions." Here they are listed in the "HALL OF FAITH!"

This gives me hope. I don't have to be perfect. Christ has covered all my imperfections. He has set me free from the law! It's a good thing I don't have to be perfect, because I can't! And yet, in my imperfect state, I can still be considered faithful. God, you are amazingly merciful!!!