Do you ever feel amazed by the incredible feats in the Bible? How did Samson kill 1,000 men with a piece of bone? How did little David, a teenager at best, face Goliath with such boldness? How did Gideon and 300 men take on over 100,000 Midianites—an enemy who filled the land “like a great swarm of locusts”? And for that matter, how could Noah build a huge, sea-worthy ship when he had never seen a ship before? How could Moses challenge Pharaoh, the king of the known world? How did Elijah face down the 400 evil prophets of Baal and Israel’s evil king and queen?
There is only one answer:
“The Spirit of the Lord took control of Gideon” Judges 6:34.
God had appeared to Gideon in a pre-Incarnate appearance of Jesus, and addressed him: “Hail, mighty warrior, the Lord is with you” v.12. He told Gideon that he had been chosen and Gideon had doubts and was afraid. But Gideon OBEYED GOD. He took small steps and God began to use him. And then “the Spirit took control of Gideon,” and after that the man fought and led with total courage and boldness. I believe something similar happened to each of the people named above. A few chapters later, “the Spirit of the Lord took control of Samson,” and he killed a lion with his bare hands in Judges 14:6. The phrase is repeated in 14:19, 15:14.
Great achievements come when we submit to God. We must obey God. We seek him, we hear his plans, we obey, and then when we have fully submitted to him, the Spirit of the Lord can take control. I know this experience: God can give you courage to face anything, and a mental sharpness that helps you make good decisions quickly, as you allow him to lead you step-by-step. It is an amazing experience—a rare one for me—but it is amazing. And it follows total submission of ourselves to whatever God wants. When we obey Him and are available to Him, He will take control and do amazing things.
God, help us listen and obey. Help us submit to you and allow you to work in us and through us. May your spirit take control of us!
ΑΩ
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