The god who (you fill in the blank)

From The Great God of Gideon series. 

It might be helpful to read Judges 6:11-24 before you go on.

Review:   God called Gideon to do a hard thing, a seemingly impossible thing, to fight back and defeat those oppressing his people.  Gideon is skeptical that he is the right choice for the job, but God confirms that He is sending Gideon on purpose and that He will be with Gideon.  In recent posts we talked about the sign God gave Gideon and his response.

Today let’s focus on just one verse:

So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.  (Judges 6:24 NIV)

There is a custom in the Old Testament of the Bible of people building an altar, or some type of stone memorial, to remember an act or intervention of God.

Here Gideon builds an altar and calls it “The Lord is Peace.” (Judges 6:24 NIV)

Abraham built an altar when God provided a ram to sacrifice in order to save Abraham’s son’s life.  Abraham called it: “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14 NIV)

Moses built an altar when God gave the Israelites victory over the Amalekites, shortly after passing through the Red sea, and called it “The Lord is my Banner.”  (Exodus 18:1 NIV)

Samuel set up a stone and called it “Ebenezer” (which means “stone of help”) when the Lord helped Israel overcome the Philistines in battle saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12 NIV)

What altars could we build?  What moments in your history with God deserve an altar or place of remembrance?

This week is Thanksgiving.  It is a great time to look back and remember the acts of God and express gratitude!

I remember moments from my own history where God revealed himself through his actions in my life:

·         THE GOD WHO CARES ABOUT MY FEELINGS

• When an acquaintance felt spontaneously moved to give me a special gift during a moment of great need which she knew nothing about… but God knew.  (I still have the gift.)
  

·         THE LORD IS MY ROCK 

• From a trip to a woman’s conference.  (I even kept a large rock by my fireplace to remember the Lord is trustworthy and faithful, He is our rock!)
• Isaiah 26:4
  

·         THE GOD WHO IS THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART AND MY PORTION FOREVER (though my heart and flesh may fail!)

• From camping.  Camping is hard on me!
• Psalm 73:26
  

·         THE GOD WHO WAS BROKEN FOR ME

• From when my daughter broke her arm  (I think of this about every time I partake of communion.)
• Isaiah 53:5
  

·         THE GOD WHO PROMOTES THE OBEDIENT

• From an unexpected promotion.
  

·         THE LORD WHO IS WITH YOU

• From my journey through Thyroid Cancer treatment.  
• Isaiah 41:10
  

·         THE GOD WHO GOES BEFORE YOU

• From this fall, facing my first child going to college.
• Deuteronomy 31:8
  

These are precious times in my history with God, and ones I need to call to remembrance more often that I do! 

What are some places of remembrance in your history with God?

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