Learning to Trust God

LEARNING TO TRUST YAHWEH; Judges 6:25-40 – MHAFB, 3 Mar 20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Series: Days of Anguish, Days of Hope / Topics: Faithfulness; God: Faithfulness; Trust; Gideon; Gideon destroys the altar of Baal; Gideon asks God for a sign; Jehoash (father of Gideon); Altar built by Gideon; Gideon’s Altar; Midianites (Judges) Before Worship: Pray with leaders! Openings Verse: Psalm 103:1-18 Songs: This is Amazing Grace; You Say; ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Opening of Worship Verse: SLIDE-Transition to Sermon Introduction Attention: 1. What has been your journey of faith in Jesus? a. How did you first come to realize... i. The existence of God? His closeness to you? His love of you? b. When did you first come to a point of... i. Wanting to love & follow Him? Willingly confessing your sins? Repenting from those sins? c. What has been your journey of... i. Faith in God? Trust in God? Faithfulness to God? 2. Each of us have had different journeys in this respect. 3. The scriptures share many journeys of faith in and faithfulness to God! a. Right alongside many journeys of doubt of & rebellion to God! Big Picture: 1. Today we continue in the book of Judges and in the story of Gideon a. Where we see a journey of one who is learning to trust in God— b. SLIDE-Title: Specifically Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, the God of all people, the God who is Father, Son & Spirit. 2. Israel has continued in their cycles of sin… a. Since the time of the elders that were discipled by Joshua’s… b. Through the stories of Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, & Deborah… c. Israel abandoned God, God allowed the neighboring people to oppress Israel, Israel cried out to God for help, & God raised a Judge to deliver His people (Judges 2:11-23) 3. This is the repeated story of Judges 1-16. a. And while many may see this as a tragedy of human sin... b. It also is an amazing testimony of God’s faithfulness! c. A faithfulness that allows you and I to have a journey of growing faith with Him! 4. SLIDE-Thesis: And so today I hope that we will see that... a. Since God is faithful, we can grow to trust Him more through speaking with and obeying Him. b. As you will see shortly—the faithfulness of God that we are speaking of is especially His faithful love. Passage: 1. Context: a. We’ve been in the book of Judges… i. A book named after a unique type of leader raised by God during this season; Judges were… 1. Political & Judicial Leaders: Guiding Israel in fair & just living, according to God’s Law... 2. Military Leaders: Setting Israel free from their oppressors... 3. Spiritual Leaders: Bringing Israel back to their God (faithfulness, love) b. In last week’s sermon Ch Payne introduced us to the judge known as Gideon i. Gideon’s journey of faith 1. He was called & yet had many doubts about his ability and God’s faithfulness 2. His external experiences had greatly effected his internal responses to God! ii. And yet he was a man who began to experience God in a life-changing way! 1. He began to realize that “The Lord is Peace” iii. And so it seems to be that... 1. Despite initially questioning every declaration God made through His angel, 2. Gideon is now on the right track, willing to trust & obey! 2. Verses-6 Slides: So let’s pick back up in his life to see two stories in Judges 6:25-40 Judges 6:25–40 CSB 25 On that very night the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old. Then tear down the altar of Baal that belongs to your father and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26 Build a well-constructed altar to the LORD your God on the top of this mound. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down.” 27 So Gideon took ten of his male servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s family and the men of the city to do it in the daytime, he did it at night. When the men of the city got up in the morning, they found Baal’s altar torn down, the Asherah pole beside it cut down, and the second bull offered up on the altar that had been built. 29 They said to each other, “Who did this?” After they made a thorough investigation, they said, “Gideon son of Joash did it.” 28 Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he tore down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.” 30 But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Would you plead Baal’s case for him? Would you save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If he is a god, let him plead his own case because someone tore down his altar.” 32 That day he was called Jerubbaal, since Joash said, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he tore down his altar. 31 33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and Qedemites gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Jezreel Valley. The Spirit of the LORD enveloped Gideon, and he blew the ram’s horn and the Abiezrites rallied behind him. 35 He sent messengers throughout all of Manasseh, who rallied behind him. He also sent messengers throughout Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, who also came to meet him. 34 Then Gideon said to God, “If you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you said, 37 I will put a wool fleece here on the threshing floor. If dew is only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that you will deliver Israel by my strength, as you said.” 38 And that is what happened. When he got up early in the morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung dew out of it, filling a bowl with water. 36 Gideon then said to God, “Don’t be angry with me; let me speak one more time. Please allow me to make one more test with the fleece. Let it remain dry, and the dew be all over the ground.” 40 That night God did as Gideon requested: only the fleece was dry, and dew was all over the ground. 39 Transition: 1. Join me in prayer… a. Draw each of us closer to You through our time together today… b. Advance us ever forward in our journey of faith in You and faithfulness to You. c. As we spend this time in Your word, may Your word get into us today we pray, Amen. 2. To begin our survey of these verses, let us first start by considering how… Main Point 1: God's Faithful Love Endures Forever! Explain: 1. This is the foundation of mankind’s redeeming relationship with God-a. It is not founded on our great accomplishments or moral qualities— b. But on our God’s cHesed (faithful love, demonstrated in actions) for… 2. MP1: God is loving & faithful to an undeserving people! a. Consider how rebellious and pagan Israel was at this point in their history… i. Despite God’s deliverance through Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, & Deborah— 1. Israel again did evil in God’s sight within a mere 40 years ii. Even though they were brought very low by Midian, 1. They cried to the Lord for His help & blessings without a hint of remorse or repentance 2. This, even after God’s special revelation through a prophet’s rebuke (Judges 6:7-20; c.f. Proverbs 29:18)! iii. And then when Gideon is so bold as to obey God’s Word in destroying his family’s worship site for Baal & Asherah (generally in Deuteronomy 7:5, 12:3; specifically in Judges 6:25-26 ), 1. They reverse the law God gave, commanding death for those in false worship (Deuteronomy 13:6-10), 2. Choosing instead to kill there own kinsman who dared such obedience to God! iv. And (spoiler alert), God would also know that after He delivers Israel from Midian, 1. They will once more prostitutes themselves again before Baal (Judges 8:27, 33) 2. Despite His divine revelation, spiritual reformation, & political/military rescue v. It seems that Israel has become more like the local Canaanites than like a people holy unto God! b. And yet YHWH delivers them! i. God still acts on their behalf! c. Despite all of this, as we saw last week in Judges 6:14, i. MP1: The Lord turns toward His people… ii. MP1: God delivers and preserves His people 1. God is even more interested in preserving His people than they are in preserving themselves! Illustrate: 1. Thomas Obadiah Chisholm had a growing sense of God’s faithfulness throughout his life. 2. And this gentleman had a God-given talent for expressing spiritual thoughts in poetic verse a. And he devoted his life to sharing this gift with others in writing over 1200 poems, i. A number of which have become prominent hymns, including “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (from 1923) ii. A song that reflects on the testimony of God’s great faithfulness as seen in (v1) His eternal qualities, (v2) His creation, & (v3) His relations with us! 3. Thomas Chisholm shared that there was no specific life event that motivated him to write this poem, but simply a “morning-by-morning realization of God's personal faithfulness;” in a 1941 letter he shared… a. "My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now.” b. “Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.” 4. Although Thomas lived a fairly simple life struggling with bad health from time to time & never enjoying great earthly riches — a. He knew that he was richly blessed by God's daily mercies, His regular acts of kindness b. As a consequence of God’s great faithfulness (see Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 49:7; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:18) Expand: 1. And so I ask you to consider this—do you know the great mercies of God? a. Do you understand that He is loving & faithful to you? b. That He turns toward you? c. That He delivers you & preserves you? 2. Consider this trustworthy saying about God, found in 2 Timothy 2:13, a. “If we [God’s people] are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” Transition: 1. God is faithful. 2. And because of this, we can grow to trust Him more through speaking with and obeying Him. 3. And so, with this solid foundation, let us move on to consider that second part of the sermon… Main Point 2: Growing to Trust God More Explain: 1. MP2: Gideon exemplifies the truth that we struggle to faithfully trust God a. When first encountering the Angel God Gideon doubts both of His assertions— i. Disbelieving that God was truly with him or his people, ii. Asserting that he is too weak to accomplish God’s task. b. Despite God’s promises, Gideon requests a confirming sign c. When tearing down the altar, Gideon does so at night, specifically because he is afraid of the people i. This betrays his fear that God will not protect him d. Then twice Gideon tests God with the fleece on the ground— i. This is after he had an overwhelming response of 32,000 troops rallying to him... ii. This is even after God’s Spirit has enveloped (or “come upon”) him! iii. (A special presence of God that empowered His Judges for success in their mission) e. Gideon’s tests & desires for signs are not an example for us to follow (Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95:7–11; Hebrews 3:7–11, 3:15, 4:7)! Rather, these are... i. Obvious expressions of common human sinful insecurities ii. And opportunities to see the amazingly humble way that God deals with us! 1. As Psalm 103:14 reminds us, “He knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.” 2. Because of God’s faithfulness, Gideon is not abandoned to his insecurities and doubts— a. God actually provides for Gideon to have the opportunity to grow in his trust of God! i. Just as He provides for you and me to grow in our trust of Him! b. But these opportunities do require that Gideon act & receive the free gift that God has given! 3. MP2: So, what does Gideon need to do to grow in his trust of God? Two things… a. MP2: Speaking with God: i. MP2: Prayer: Sharing our hearts & desires (see Lamentations 3:19-26; Luke 11:1-13) 1. Notice that Gideon does not hold back his doubts & insecurities from God— a. While we may nag on him for not trusting God, b. We can commend him for honestly sharing this with God! 2. He is honest to the point that, by human standards, a. God would have every right to be offended with Gideon & to reject Him! b. And yet that is not what God does—God allows Gideon to engage at this level! ii. MP2: Listen: Attentively hearing God (see Luke 10:38-42) 1. Notice that Gideon takes the time to engage with the Angel of the Lord 2. He not only shares his heart & desires, but he listens to what God says 3. It’s clear that he doesn’t totally trust God at the start— a. But that is part of the point... i. Gideon is on a journey of growing trust in God! b. He’s not there yet! i. But, by listening to God, He is getting closer! iii. Finally, we see that along with speaking & listening to God, 1. We grow to trust Him more through... b. MP2: Obeying God: i. Despite Gideon’s insecurities, he acts in faith (Hebrews 11:32) to obey God 1. And obviously this was not easy for him! 2. MP2: Nonetheless, he showed us that we must practice obedience, no matter how hard! (See Isaiah 1:16-20) ii. His first mission is fairly significant… 1. If Gideon is going to start to lead Israel into obedience to God, a. He must confront the false-god worship in his own family & city. 2. God commands Gideon to dramatically put an end to this &, through building an altar to YHWH atop the ruins, to reclaim it for YHWH alone i. And so Gideon (a name that means “Hacker,” or “One who cuts to pieces”), cuts down the idolatry of his family (compare to Moses’ need for obedience in circumcision, Exodus 4:24-26)! a. His obedience was dangerous & elicited an understandable fear! b. In Gideon’s insecurities, he did it in the safest way he could figure... i. Done in the strength of numbers (a group of 10) ii. Done under the cover of night. 3. Alas, his secrecy was ineffective in the end! a. And to God’s glory, it was found out that... i. Gideon had contended with Baal ii. And that Baal was impotent/unable to exert any power to defend himself! b. Gideon’s father, Joash (a name meaning “YHWH is strong”) perhaps surprisingly stands up for his son, i. He challenges Baal to contend for himself with Gideon (hence Gideon’s other name, Jerubbaal, “Baal Contender”) ii. And every day of Gideon’s life after this was evidence to the weakness of Baal in contrast to the strength of God! iii. One is left to wonder if Joash himself was becoming convinced of the folly of his pagan ways! (compare to Elijah’s challenge of Baal’s prophets on Mt. Carmel in 1 Kings 18) iii. In his future acts of obedience you will see Gideon and those around him grow to trust God even more! 1. Perhaps it was the story of Gideon’s successful opposition to Baal on YHWH’s behalf that caused the 32,000 soldiers to answer his summons, to include... a. His own clan (c.f. the Abiezrites in Judges 6:11, 24, 34), b. His entire tribe (c.f. Manasseh in Judges 6:15), & c. His three northern neighbors (Asher, Zebulun, Naphtali). Illustrate: 1. Every conscientious parent recognizes how difficult it is to exercise his God-given authority over his children. a. The delicate balance of being tough yet tender is not easy to maintain. i. Many parents intensify a rebellious spirit by being dictatorial and harsh. ii. Others yield when their authority is tested; when a strong-willed child resists, the pressure to give in for the sake of peace and harmony can become overpowering. b. One mother of a very rebellious child, after an especially trying day, finally flung up her hands and shouted, i. "All right, Billy, do whatever you want! Now let me see you disobey THAT!" 2. This is far from the God that we know and love a. He maintains the perfect personalized balance of tenderness & toughness for His people b. He gently provides us with the opportunities needed to grow in our trust in Him Expand: 1. Did you notice that God did not reject or rebuke Gideon for his doubts and fears? a. Instead God humbled Himself to work with Gideon for his good & the good of all Israel! b. God patiently acts to encourage their faith (c.f. Moses’ calling in Exodus 4)! 2. And so Gideon, through speaking with God & practicing obedience, even timidly— a. Grew to trust God more b. And he helped others to do the same. Transition: 1. Now, let’s begin to close this off... Conclusion: Conclusion Reiterate: Since God is faithful, we can grow to trust Him more through speaking with and obeying Him. 1. God’s faithful love endures forever a. And He demonstrates it to an undeserving people b. We see it as He turns toward us, delivers us, & preserves us— i. In spite of our apathy and doubts! 2. And God humbly works with us that we might grow to trust Him more: a. Through sharing the honest condition of our hearts to Him b. Through asking for what we really want c. Through attentively listening to what He says d. Through practicing obedience, no matter the cost Apply: So, how should we respond? I suggest four points for your prayerful consideration… 1. Con: Meditate on God’s faithful love. a. Take substantial time to know this better (see 1 Chronicles 16:34, 41; 2 Chronicles 5:13, 7:3, 7:6, 20:21; Psalm 100:5, 106:1, 107:1, 118:1-4, 118:29, 136:1-26; Jeremiah 33:11) b. This foundational element of God’s character is life-changing c. A deeper understanding of it & more times experiencing it will powerfully grow your faith! 2. Con: Pray to God daily. a. Share your genuine heart & ask for what you really want b. While God perfectly knows you i. The repeated teaching & example of the Bible is that we are to willingly & opening bring the fullness of our hearts to Him— 1. Wants, needs, fears, insecurities, confidences, pleasures, and beyond! ii. The Book of Psalms powerfully demonstrates this! 1. Here you see the raw, carnal emotion of man being spilt out in God’s presence! 2. Jesus says to “Love your enemies,” a. And Psalm 58:6 has a God-follower saying, “God, knock the teeth out of their mouths.” (c.f. Psalm 3:7) 3. God has promised His faithfulness & closeness to us, a. And Psalm 88:14 has a God-follower saying, “Lord, why do you reject me? Why do You hide Your face from me?” c. Be loving, be respectful, but be honest with your God. i. Remember Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” d. In sharing the fullness of our heart with God, i. We will find our trust in Him beginning to grow—if we also… 3. Con: Listen attentively to God. (see Luke 10:38-42) a. God is speaking— i. Do you take the time & exercise the effort to hear & understand Him? ii. Legitimately look at how you can rearrange your schedule to prioritize time for this b. Reflect on what He has shared with you in the past i. Whether it is truths about Who He is or who you are ii. Or maybe it was direction & guidance on where to go in your life c. Open up His Word daily to find what He has been saying for millennias for those who will listen i. Create unhurried time to read the Bible, ii. To study, memorize, meditate on, & celebrate His Self-revelation! iii. Ask for His Spirit’s help to understand, remember, & well-apply His word to your life d. Quiet your heart to hear His “still small voice” despite the mighty winds, earth-shaping quakes, & unending fires around you (1 Kings 19:12) i. Consider what you need to remove from your life to make this happen ii. And in this, ask Him to speak to you! 1. Maybe it is an answer to the burden on your heart 2. Maybe it is something altogether different that He has for you 3. But, you’ll never know unless you stop & listen e. And as He speaks… 4. Con: Diligently obey God. (see Isaiah 1:16-20; John 14:21, 8:31; 1 John 2:5) a. It might not be easy, nor may it be in the most courageous of ways… i. But learn to obey God in all things b. This means we obey Him... i. …in “small” daily things (like how we use our words & money) & ii. …in “large” life-altering things, like exiting the military or who we date & marry c. Every step of obedience is an opportunity to... i. Grow in your relationship with God ii. Trust Him more iii. Hear & understand Him more iv. Find the next step of obedience v. Become the person He designed you to be. Appeal: 1. May God give to each of us the strength needed to see His faithfulness and step forward in growing faith and trust in Him. Conclude: 1. Pray with me...