Gideon threshed wheat … And the Lᴏʀᴅ said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” Then he said to Him … “Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my offering and set it before You.” And He said, “I will wait until you come back.” So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour.

Judges 6:11, 16–19 ɴᴋᴊᴠ

As we consider the story of Gideon we marvel again and again at the patience of God! The Angel of the Lord comes and sits under a tree on the property of Joash the Abiezrite of the tribe of Manasseh. He watches Gideon threshing wheat in the winepress—a difficult task, for this task was ordinarily and most easily done openly on a hilltop. He proceeds to greet Gideon, saying, “The Lᴏʀᴅ is with you, you mighty man of valor!” He takes time to talk with Gideon, answering his objections and questions.

Gideon wants a sign—we see this repeatedly in his history—that this is the Angel of the Lord. He asks his Visitor to wait until he will come back with an offering to set before Him. Amazing! His Visitor agrees to wait. How long? Until Gideon has butchered and stewed a young goat and has made unleavened bread of more than half a bushel (22 liters) of flour! How long does this take? Several hours at least! The Angel of the Lord patiently waits.

When Gideon finally brings out his offering, he brings the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot. This was absolutely contrary to God’s commands. Offerings were not to be boiled. The broth was clear evidence that the meat had been boiled. The Angel of the Lord tells Gideon to put the bread and the meat on a rock and pour out the broth. He then touches the meat and bread with His staff and fire rises out of the rock and consumes them! How patient our God is! He often waits for us for many years!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.


https://gbv-online.org/calendar/773/date/2026-08-27

#BookOfJudges #Judges #BibleStudy #OldTestament #BibleSummary #BiblicalHistory #GodsWord #Faith #ChristianFaith #BibleLessons #GodsFaithfulness #GodsMercy #Israel #Deborah #Gideon #Samson #Jephthah #JoshuaToJudges #BiblicalCharacters #ChristianLiving #FaithOverFear #TrustGod #SpiritualGrowth #BibleKnowledge #JesusChrist #Christianity #Scripture #GodsPlan #LessonsFromTheBible #WalkWithGod

Gideon defeated an overwhelming enemy, experienced an incredible victory, and became one of Israel’s most celebrated leaders. But his greatest danger may have come after the battle was over.

https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/16/when-success-becomes-a-snare-learning-from-the-final-years-of-gideon/

In Judges 8, Gideon tells the people, “The LORD will rule over you!” Yet what follows reveals a troubling spiritual decline. He accumulated wealth, began living much like the king he said he would never become, and created an ephod that eventually became an object of false worship.

His story gives us a warning we still need today:

Winning yesterday’s battle does not guarantee tomorrow’s faithfulness.

Success can test our hearts just as much as suffering. Recognition can become a trap. Influence can become identity. Even something connected to our faith can become an idol when it takes the place that belongs to God alone.

The question is not simply, “Am I succeeding?”

We also need to ask:

Am I becoming more faithful?

Am I still teachable?

Am I pointing people toward Jesus or toward myself?

What kind of spiritual legacy am I leaving behind?

Read the new blog: “When Success Becomes a Snare: Learning From the Final Years of Gideon.”

#Gideon #Judges8 #ChristianLiving #BiblicalLeadership #FinishingWell #Faithfulness #GuardYourHeart #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLeadership #BibleStudy #FollowingJesus

“The Lᴏʀᴅ is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the Lᴏʀᴅ is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about … But now the Lᴏʀᴅ has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.”

Judges 6:12–13 ɴᴋᴊᴠ

God chooses His instruments carefully and uses His own standards in doing so. One criterion He uses is whether a servant considers not only himself but the whole company of God’s people among whom God has placed him. Gideon is an outstanding example of this.

Gideon is told, “The Lᴏʀᴅ is with you, you mighty man of valor!” He immediately responds, “If the Lᴏʀᴅ is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” While alone in the winepress, away from his people, Gideon’s heart was occupied with them, not with himself. He had doubtless heard the Lord’s rebuke through the prophet and had been giving serious thought to it. How could the Lord be with him and not with His people? Why was the Lord not doing miracles like He had done when He brought Israel up out of Egypt? Why? Why? Surely the Lord must have forsaken His people!

The Lord appreciates a person who thinks like this. Believers today too are more than mere individuals. As Christians we are members of the body of Christ, of the bride of Christ, of the house of God. Each believer today should realize that he or she is a small part of the Church of the Living God, and is affected by the ruin that has come into it through human unfaithfulness.

Weak as he felt he was, Gideon was told, “Go in this might of yours … Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites” (vv. 14, 16). May the Lord find us of like mind, usable for Him!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.


Sing aloud to God our strength;
He is with us where we go;Fear we not the journey’s length,
Fear we not the mighty foe.


T. Kelly


https://gbv-online.org/calendar/773/date/2026-08-17

Gideon had no idea what God was purpose, Gideon feel small weak and unworthy and afraid but God saw, not what Gideon was but what he become through Him that's how God sees you.
We live in a time when fear and doubt often hold people captive, but the message of Gideon story is clear.
When God's calls Gideon means God saw something different, he didn't need to be the strongest or the bravest he just needed to trust obey. You may feel weak, afraid or insignificant you may think your past mistakes or failures have disqualified you from God's purpose but the Lord says "I am with you mighty warrior" Mighty warrior means showed extreme bravery in battle, skill in battle unwavering determination, valor loyalty and ability to inspire a soldier.
When God is with you, you are never defeated He takes the ordinary and does the extraordinary. Remember your weakness is perfect place for God to show His strength, the Lord is with you! He will fight your battles, strengthen your heart and make you victorious in His name.
The lesson God can achieve things great things through smallest effort all He ask is your faith and obedience, without faith it is impossible to please God, success in life comes from God and is marked by purity, peace and good fruit.
#ToGodBeAllTheGlory
#AllThingsArePossible

Good morning, my brother. Your telegram platform had been hacked, please secure it. Gideon Katmut

EXHAUSTED—BUT STILL CHASING.

That may be one of the most powerful descriptions of Gideon and his 300 men in Judges 8.

https://patrickryanlewis.com/2026/08/14/exhausted-but-still-chasing-persistence-compromise-and-justice-in-judges-84-21/

They had already fought a tremendous battle. They were hungry. They were exhausted. They asked fellow Israelites for help and were refused. The people who should have encouraged them doubted they would succeed.

But they kept going.

Judges 8:4–21 reminds us that being tired does not necessarily mean God is finished with what He has called us to do.

Sometimes faithfulness means continuing to pray when you haven’t seen the answer.

Continuing to serve when nobody seems to notice.
Continuing to resist temptation when the battle feels repetitive.
Continuing to obey when other people refuse to stand beside you.
Continuing to trust God when you cannot yet see the outcome.

Gideon’s story also gives us sobering lessons about unbelief, compromise, leadership, justice, and the danger of standing on the sidelines when God calls us to participate.

You can be tired and still be faithful.

You can be discouraged and still be obedient.

Sometimes the next act of faith isn’t something dramatic.

Sometimes it is simply taking the next step.

Read the latest study on Judges 8:4–21 — “Exhausted, but Still Chasing.”

#BookOfJudges #Judges8 #Gideon #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving #Faith #Perseverance #Faithfulness #Obedience #TrustGod #SpiritualGrowth #BibleTeaching #KeepGoing #FollowJesus

“Gideon said to him, ‘Please, my lord, if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about? They said, “Hasn’t the LORD brought us out of Egypt?” But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.’”
— Judges 6:13 (CSB)

Gideon voices a question many believers have asked during difficult seasons: If God is with us, why is this happening? His circumstances made it difficult for him to see God’s presence, yet God had not forgotten him or His people. This verse reminds us that questions and struggles do not necessarily mean an absence of faith; sometimes they become the place where God begins to reveal what He is about to do. Even when we cannot see His hand, God is still at work.

Refusing Glory That Belongs to God

Scripture

Judges 8:23 (NKJV)
But Gideon said to them I will not rule over you nor shall my son rule over you The Lord shall rule over you

Knowing Who the True King Is

Judges chapter 8 follows Gideon after a great victory over the Midianites. God had delivered Israel in an unmistakable way and Gideon became widely respected. The people responded by asking Gideon to rule over them and to establish a dynasty through his family.

Gideon’s response in verse 23 is spiritually correct and deeply important. He refuses the offer of kingship and declares that the Lord alone should rule over Israel. This statement acknowledges a core truth of Israel’s identity. God was their King. Human leaders were meant to serve under His authority not replace Him.

This moment shows that success brings its own spiritual test. Victory can tempt people to seek power recognition and control. Gideon understood that accepting glory meant for God would lead Israel away from dependence on Him.

At the same time the chapter also shows that right words must be matched with continued faithfulness. Later actions in Gideon’s life reveal how easy it is to drift after victory. Judges 8 reminds us that finishing well requires humility not only in battle but after success.

For believers today this chapter challenges us to examine how we respond to success influence or recognition. God alone deserves the throne of our hearts. When we remember who truly rules we remain grounded obedient and faithful.

Reflection Questions

1. How do I respond when God brings success or victory

2. Do I guard my heart against pride after accomplishments

3. Is God clearly ruling over my decisions and direction

Prayer

Lord God thank You for every victory You bring into my life. Help me to remember that You alone are King. Guard my heart from pride and keep me humble dependent and faithful after success as well as during struggle. In Jesus name Amen.

Victory Belongs to the Lord

Scripture

Judges 7:2 (NKJV)
And the Lord said to Gideon The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me saying My own hand has saved me

God Works Best When We Rely on Him

Judges chapter 7 continues Gideon’s story at a surprising moment. Gideon has gathered an army to face the Midianites but God says the army is too large. This seems backwards. Yet God’s concern is not military strength but spiritual clarity. If Israel wins with overwhelming numbers they may believe the victory came from themselves.

God reduces the army in stages until only three hundred men remain. The purpose is clear. The victory must point unmistakably to God. When success cannot be explained by human strength God alone receives the glory.

This chapter teaches that God sometimes removes what we rely on so that we learn to rely fully on Him. Weakness in our hands becomes strength in God’s hands. What feels insufficient is often exactly what God uses to display His power.

For believers today Judges 7 reminds us that God is not impressed by numbers resources or human ability. He desires hearts that trust Him completely. When we depend on God rather than ourselves He works in ways that leave no doubt that He alone brought the victory.

Reflection Questions

1. Am I relying more on my ability or on God’s power

2. Has God ever reduced something in my life to strengthen my faith

3. How can I give God full glory for the victories I experience

Prayer

Lord God help me to trust You fully and not rely on my own strength. When You remove what I lean on teach me to lean on You instead. May my life point to Your power and may You receive all the glory for every victory. In Jesus name Amen.