EXTRAORDINARY HEROES

Recently, while reading the book of Judges, it came to me very clearly that after the death of Joshua and the spiritual leaders of his generation there was a complete change in the Israelites. (Judges 2:6-12). Another generation grew up who did not follow the ways of the Lord, but instead followed the ways of the evil nations around them. This made the Lord angry with them, and He allowed these nations to rob and plunder them, until things got so bad that they cried out to the Lord for mercy. They had broken the covenant they had made with God, but He was always faithful to His covenant with them!

Over and over we see the same pattern repeat itself. They would abandon God, He would allow their enemies to triumph over them, they would cry out in repentance, and He would raise up a deliverer from among them. Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jepthah were four men who God raised up as deliverers for them, and all are mentioned in the NT book of Hebrews, chapter 11.These men are listed in this "faith chapter" along with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others who were commended for their faith. It is important to note that these were very ordinary men, with many faults, yet God was able to use them to deliver His people from their enemies.

This truth should be an encouragement to us living in the 21st century. We often think we are just ordinary men and women that God could never use to accomplish any notable thing for His Kingdom. But I suggest you should read through the book of Judges again, and pay attention to the caliber of men that God used. We read about the Spirit of the Lord "coming upon them" and equipping them for the task He called them to perform. The Spirit only came upon them for the task at hand, and didn't stay with them. We actually have the advantage over them, because according to (Acts 1:8) the Holy Spirit was given to empower believers, as Jesus promised before He went back to heaven. Jesus clearly stated that He, the Holy Spirit, would never leave us nor forsake us! The Holy Spirit makes "extraordinary heroes" out of ordinary individuals! All we have to do, as I understand it, is be "available" and "obedient" to His directions. The problem for most of us is that we are too busy to listen for His "still small voice", which is often little more than a whisper, and can only be heard as we listen with the "ears of our heart". May the Lord bless you in this endeavour, is my prayer for you!

Sincerely submitted.

Gramp