Usefulness: June 6, 2011

JUNE 6 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JUNE 6, 2011

USEFULNESS

DEFINITION:

Having a practical function, purpose or effect; worthwhile. Helpful and serving some purpose; productive.

SCRIPTURE:

And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said, the Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor. Judges 6:12.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The definition of valor as used here in this verse above is, boldness or determination in facing great danger in battle with courage and bravery. The Lord called Gideon a mighty man of valor and then told him to deliver Israel out of the Midian’s hands. But Gideon replied to the Lord in verse 14 that his family was poor in Manasseh and that he (Gideon) was the least in his father’s house (verse 15). Gideon didn’t feel like a mighty man of valor. All of his family, along with all the other Israelites, were being oppressed by the mighty Midianites who far outnumbered them. The Midianites destroyed their crops and their cattle and kept them living in fear and poverty.

Even after the Lord told Gideon that He would help him defeat the Midians (verse 16), he was still afraid. Gideon then asked God for signs to confirm God’s will and empowerment (Verses 17, 36-40).

Gideon was fearful because he felt inadequate and useless. He wanted to be useful to the Lord but could not and would not believe that God would give him the victory over the Midianites. Gideon looked at his own resources and felt his limitations would keep him from being useful to the Lord. It seemed impossible that even with God’s help that the Midianites could be defeated.

You may ask the question, “Why did the Lord address fearful Gideon as a ‘mighty man of valor?’” The reason was that God knew what kind of man Gideon would become when he put his trust and confidence in God and allowed God to make him useful. Gideon finally put his full trust in God and was given the victory that God had promised.

Just like Gideon we doubt our abilities and potential. We look at projects from only our point of view and forget what God can do through us if we put our trust in Him to lead and guide us. Never doubt what God can do through you. When you put your trust in Him and obey Him you can move mountains. Gideon’s God is the same God we serve today. We can face any doubt or any fear and when we truly believe that the Lord is with us we can be more than useful to God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in James 4:7.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

PRAYER:

Thank You that You can make me useful in all that I do for You if I put my trust in You. As our memory verse for this week says, help me to submit all that I have to You and resist the devil in all that I do as well. Make today a special day of usefulness for me and my family as we do all we can to serve You.