Devotionals for the Heart: A modern life lesson learned from a Bible story

Put A Fleece on It!
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

*Note to the reader: Open The Holy Bible and read Judges 6:36-40 for the Key Scripture that supports this devotional message today. 

I am so happy that I read the story of Gideon when I was young. Through the years it has helped me to be bold and make tough decisions.

In the Old Testament book of Judges, chapter six, the Bible introduces a reluctant leader. He knew the stories of Hebrew history. He had heard how God had miraculously delivered Israel, time after time. But in his life, he had never seen any miracles.

Israel had been impoverished by the malevolence of the competing cultures in the land. They had succumbed to the practice of idolatry. Violence and fear characterized the community in which he lived. Gideon was either the youngest or the poorest of his family members. He was either humble or struggled with low self-esteem. Until he had a divine encounter.

The story says that one day while in the normal pursuit of his work, he had an epiphany experience. God literally stopped him, spoke to him and gave him a charge that would change his life. Gideon rightly perceived that he was in the presence of a divine emissary and asked for time to honor this unparalleled moment in his life.

Since hospitality, even among the poor was a cultural imperative, he ran home, fixed a meal and brought it back to this Angel of the Lord. It was consumed by fire. The culture of the time declared that if a person saw God, he would die. Gideon was assured that he would not die because of this experience but that God would lead, guide and guard him in the prophetic tasks of leading his people to revolt against the prevailing idolatry. Jehovah Shalom, the divine blessing of peace and protection was pronounced. Gideon built an altar to memorialize the moment. Then, he went home.

It seems that God often speaks to people at night. That night God visited Gideon again. He challenged him with a revolutionary task. He was to purge his father’s territory of the idols and gardens honoring them. He recruited 10 men and they executed the Lord’s command the next night.

As expected, the men of the surrounding community were offended. The word spread and soon the worst of the worst were arrayed to do battle with and kill Gideon’s gene pool. Gideon, the reluctant warrior, called his cousins and told them to prepare for war. But, he needed assurance. He spoke to God asking for an affirming sign of His presence and blessing.

He asked for the improbable. I have often said that if the fulfillment of your vision and purpose does not require the miraculous intervention of God, it is too small. He put out a fleece, a wool shawl or towel. He asked that in the morning the fleece be wet with dew, but the ground be dry around it. In the morning, the fleece was so wet that when he wrung it, the water filled a bowl. But that was not enough. He asked for the opposite experience after the next dew fall.

Let the fleece be dry and the ground around it be wet. It was so. With that confirmation, Gideon launched the revolution that changed his community and restored the visible presence of the Grace of God in his community.

Are you struggling with an impoverished spirit? Is there a resonant vision in your mind’s eye that you don’t know how to pursue? Do you long for a more meaningful quality of life? These inclinations may be the becks and calls from divinity. They may be the breakthroughs that demand another leap of faith. Do what Gideon did and put a fleece on it. Ask for a sign. I did.

Facing a life changing decision, My wife and I prayed the fleece prayer and I left a towel on the front yard overnight. n the morning I checked on it. The ground was dry and the towel was damp. I could not wring a bowl full of water from it, but it was damp. The ensuing night I put another towel in the same spot on the yard. In the morning, the grass was wet with dew. The towel was dry. I made the tough call and even though I was warned that there was no bridge back, I took the leap of faith. Like Gideon, that decision changed my life for the better, ever since.

If you are stuck, demoralized, or looking for the next adventure in faith, put a fleece on it and look for God’s guidance. However, once His direction is clear, if you do not go where He leads, you may be forever plagued with the what if curse. That is a topic for another day. Just put a fleece on it.

Let’s Pray: Almighty God of creation, opportunity and destiny, please answer the furtive prayers of the reader today. Guide him/her into the path of your providence. Bless them with courage to trust and obey your prompting. When they do, may they see and feel confirmations from heaven. In the name of Jehovah Shalom, I pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.