Author: Dave Dishman (Page 371 of 475)

Gideon took his anger out on his wheat, pounding the grain down in a winepress, hiding from enemy raiders. When an angel appeared and greeted Gideon as a mighty warrior (perhaps tongue-in-cheek), Gideon immediately launched into accusations and excuses – God, where have you been?!

It took several proofs to convert Gideon from frustrated farmer to successful general. Fire from a rock, the pagan alter in his village destroyed, a fleece first with dew, then without. Through it all, God patiently ushered Gideon along, despite constant questions and doubts.

Like Gideon, I’ve “pounded my wheat” in frustration. I’ve asked – God, where are you?! I often don’t know where God is in the midst of my circumstances, and never have I met an angel in such dramatic fashion.

But I draw hope from Gideon’s story, especially seeing the Lord’s patience with a frustrated man. The Lord pays attention. The Lord hears my cries of frustration. The Lord is ok with my questions. He’s much, much bigger than me, and that’s so very, very good.

Judges 6 in week fourteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Jonathan Brinkhorst

Spies sent by Jesus’s enemies asked him this question, hoping to catch him in a comment they could use against him. An appropriate query in the midst of the U.S. tax season, is it not?

Jesus answered, delivering a phrase resonating down through the centuries. I prefer the way the King James Version says it: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.

Mouths agape at his response, the spies stopped asking questions.

Thanks to those spies, I now have an answer to my question on taxation. I pay my due to the governing bodies as Jesus commanded. Next, I turn to the second half of the teaching – I give back to God that which be God’s.

My giving to the Lord stands as important as paying my taxes. Neither shall I skip, during tax season or all year long.

Luke 20:20-26 in week fourteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

At the end of his life, Joshua addressed the nation of Israel following years of hardship, challenge, victory and finally, rest. Joshua drove home an fundamental decision lying before them (Joshua 24).

Choose whom you will serve. Choose the old gods of Egypt, or the gods of this new land, in fact, chose whatever gods you wish. But Joshua declared, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Who I serve is my choice. God doesn’t force me to serve him. In fact, I’m free to devote myself to any of the gods surrounding me, those more flashy or expedient or lucrative. What’s obvious is that I will choose to serve some type of controlling gods throughout my life.

Joshua’s challenge draws a line in the sand, it demands words spoken out loud. Choose this day whom you will serve. If the Lord appears undesirable to you, other gods jostle at the door. It’s up to you.

Choose wisely.

Personally, I join Joshua, in declaring that for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Week fourteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Matt Donders