The Lord Shall Rule Over You
Many people want another human being to rule over them instead of allowing the Lord to rule them. This is what Israel wanted Gideon to do after his great victory, but he turned them down flatly.(Judges 8:23) He told them to let the Lord rule them, but they went right back to the idols when Gideon died. We need to ask ourselves why this happens.
I believe that people want a human ruler, because they want to be like all of the other nations of the world. It goes back to not wanting to be different. However, as believers, we are to be different. That is what it means to be holy. We are to be set apart to God and we are to be set apart from sin. If we let God rule us completely, He will make us holy and different from everyone else.
I also believe that people want a human ruler, so they do not have to follow God. They believe that God will be harsh, but a man will be lenient. That is not always the case. In fact, a proud man is much more harsh than God. God is merciful, if we will just make the effort to love Him and to follow Him.
Gideon showed a lot of character by turning down the people's request. He could have been proud after deleting Midian, but he wasn't. He did the right thing by pointing people to God. As leaders, we must do the same thing. We must not try to rule over people, and we must encourage them to let the Lord rule over them. When God rules all is well.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 11-13.
I believe that people want a human ruler, because they want to be like all of the other nations of the world. It goes back to not wanting to be different. However, as believers, we are to be different. That is what it means to be holy. We are to be set apart to God and we are to be set apart from sin. If we let God rule us completely, He will make us holy and different from everyone else.
I also believe that people want a human ruler, so they do not have to follow God. They believe that God will be harsh, but a man will be lenient. That is not always the case. In fact, a proud man is much more harsh than God. God is merciful, if we will just make the effort to love Him and to follow Him.
Gideon showed a lot of character by turning down the people's request. He could have been proud after deleting Midian, but he wasn't. He did the right thing by pointing people to God. As leaders, we must do the same thing. We must not try to rule over people, and we must encourage them to let the Lord rule over them. When God rules all is well.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 11-13.