by George Runyan | Jun 11, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
Judges 13:25 – The Spirit of the Lord began to stir him.
In Judges, chapter thirteen through chapter sixteen, we find the life story of Samson. Samson’s life began in a supernatural way. His mom was barren. The angel of the Lord visited her and told her that she would bare a son who would deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines. The angel of the Lord appeared a second time to both Monoah and his wife declaring again that the child would be a Nazirite from birth.
Samson grew up and the Lord blessed him. The Spirit of the Lord began to stir in Samson. When the Spirit of God begins to stir an individual it means that God is directing that one to fulfill the Lord’s purpose. Samson’s purpose in God was to deliver Israel from the enslavement imposed by the Philistines.
The twelve disciples were men that the Spirit of the Lord began to stir. They did not understand what was happening in their lives, but they followed Jesus and learned to obey Him. Throughout the book of Acts many were stirred to action by the Spirit of God. They not only received the Lord’s forgiveness and His promise of eternal life, but they were stirred to give up their lives for a much higher calling and purpose. They had only known their own natural rationale, but when the Spirit of God came upon them, they began to know God’s will and purpose.
Down through history we have numerous stories of those stirred by the Spirit of God to an uncompromising life of surrender to fulfilling an assignment given to them. We are presently living in historic times as the Spirit of the Lord is stirring the next generation of mighty men and women of God. I say historic because of the number of youth that the Lord is calling.
The same Holy Spirit is anointing today a generation of young people. They are operating in unusual amounts of power. They are appointed and anointed to carry out His purpose in the earth. They are being called from every nation to the kingdom of God. They look like average people, but they have the Spirit of the Lord resting upon them. The Spirit is doing great feats in order to accomplish the Lord’s bidding in the nations.
I have spoken of the young people, but it includes older ones as well that are young in spirit. The Spirit of God is joining the older generation with the younger to form a mighty nation that will be victorious in fulfilling the Lord’s desires. Samson, like many of us, had his failings, but the Lord has promised a “victorious church.”
Father, I pray that Your Spirit would stir me and thrust me forth into the battle. I pray for the power of Your Holy Spirit to rest upon me to fulfill every assignment You have appointed me to fulfill.
by George Runyan | Jun 9, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
The seventh chapter of Judges is a wonderful example of the wisdom of the Holy Spirit as He directs Gideon and his 300 fellow Israelites fighting against Midian. The wisdom of God is certainly greater than the multitude of counselors that try to understand simply by means of their natural reasoning. God’s people must move by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
The Lord had Gideon send home thousands of his countrymen because there were too many for God to use. The scripture says that Midian’s army was like the “sand of the sea.” The natural man would have said “the more the better”, but the Spirit of God said, “I only need 300 to defeat the enemy.”
Israel failed to enter the land under Moses leadership when the Lord said, “Now.” They took things into their own hands by sending spies into the land of the Canaanites. The Lord simply said “Go in and take the land that I have given you.” He did not instruct them to send the twelve spies. He allowed them to do it their way, but later had to judge that generation for their “unbelief,” produced by not initially obeying the Lord’s command.
Faith is not driven by the rational, but by the Spirit of God. In the New Testament, the Lord confused the enemy’s plans by sending His only begotten Son with the purpose of Christ Jesus going to the cross and dying for the sins of unregenerate man. “God’s wisdom, which none of the rulers of this age have understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8). In the Father’s wisdom, He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand, a man, raised to rule. In His wisdom, those that receive Christ as Lord and God now have authority over the kingdom of darkness in their personal life. God’s people, united, can triumph over the enemy and send confusion into the enemy’s camp. The Lord’s people can do this again and again by simply obeying the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Make it your determination not to reject the Lord’s plans, as foolish as they might sound to your rational mind. Confirm His leadings by the Word of God and walk closely with others that trust the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Pray always that your spirit may be sensitive to His directions.
by George Runyan | Jun 8, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
Judges 7:2 – The Lord said to Gideon, The people are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’
What a powerful story of how God delivered His people from the control of Midian. God gave Midian into the hands of His people. The Spirit of God identified one of the largest issues we contend with, “pride.” It is so human for us to take the credit when we are successful, rather than giving God the glory due His holy name. As revealed here in the story of Gideon, God’s wisdom is given to cause His people to be faced with impossible situations by creating a scenario where only God can be glorified.
We should not trust in our own ability or our circumstances in order to have a testimony of success, but in the power of God. Because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, the Holy Spirit has come to indwell each believer. It is by His indwelling presence that we are assured of good success. Our victory, as with Gideon’s small army, is rooted in God’s great power.
God told Gideon to “release those that were afraid and trembling.” 22,000 men returned home, which left 10,000. God said, “The people are still too many”. God tested the 10,000 by bringing them to the water. There, Gideon separated those who drank by lapping the water with their tongue from those who drank by getting down on their knees. Only 300 lapped the water. Those on their knees were not being diligent to watch for the enemy. Those that lapped were able to look around and watch for the enemy as they quenched their thirst.
The Holy Spirit is the one who supplies power through His gifts. The first gift mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 is the gift of wisdom. God is looking for willing and diligent people to allow Him to work His mighty power through. It is not an issue of “multitudes,” but a willing and watchful people. 32,000 people were too many for God to have success against Midian, but 300 were perfect for the battle because they were vessels through whom God could manifest His glory.
In what ways are you watching and being diligent on behalf of God’s kingdom? Have you come to the water simply to get your thirst satisfied or have you come to drink to be refreshed for the battle?
Pray with me, “Holy Spirit; create in me the spirit of Gideon’s 300 warriors. Cause me to be ready to do Your bidding through watchfulness and diligence. Use me, Lord, to extend Your kingdom reign in the midst of Your enemies.”
by George Runyan | Jun 7, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
Judges 6:34 – So the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet.
After the angel of God had called Gideon, He gave him instructions to tear down the altar of Baal using his father’s bull. He was further instructed to take a second bull, seven years old and offer it as a sacrifice using the wood from Baal’s altar. Gideon did as he was instructed. Of course, this caused a great anger among the men of the city and they sought to kill Gideon. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and Gideon blew a trumpet to summon the men of Israel to battle.
Jesus was anointed with God’s Holy Spirit and power to destroy the works of the devil (Acts 10:38). Jesus, in turn, when raised from the dead and ascended to the Father’s right hand poured out the Holy Spirit on all who believed in Him. We, like Gideon of old, are called to “blow the trumpet” of God’s Word. We are to proclaim that “Jesus is Lord” and that the “promise of the Father” has come, the Mighty Holy Spirit. We are to proclaim the “command to repent” for the Day of the Lord has come. This repentance includes turning from a lifestyle of self to living for the Lord Jesus Christ. The trumpet sound is going out in the entire world calling for the nations to surrender to Jesus, God’s eternal king. As believers, we are to declare justice and righteousness throughout the land.
In Gideon’s day, false religion had taken control of society. God raised up a deliverer in the man Gideon. Today, false religion dominates society throughout the world, but a Savior/Redeemer is among us. Jesus has torn down the altars of false gods and is reigning as God’s Anointed King. He is summoning a people, filled with His Holy Spirit, to be bold like Gideon and stand against the gods of our times. The Lord is looking for the Gideon’s who might have some fear, who will test the Lord’s Word, but ultimately will obey and subdue the enemy in their life and the lives of others. As the people of God, we must stand together against unrighteousness in the nation. It is our responsibility to help lead our nation back to God’s will and His purpose.
Gideon presented a fleece and put it before the Lord because of what he had heard. What has the Lord been saying to you? If you have not heard His Spirit speaking to you, take time in his presence and in His Word. Then, as He speaks, prove the Word in the way He directs you. Fear not, the Lord declares, for I am with you!
by George Runyan | Jun 6, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
Judges 6:7 – Now it came about, when the sons of Israel cried to the Lord on account of Midian, that the Lord sent a prophet to the sons of Israel.
The prophet prophesied deliverance to the children of Israel. Gideon is the man that the Spirit of the Lord chose to deliver Israel. He did not look like a deliverer or sound like one either. When the angel of the Lord addressed Gideon, He said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior” (Judges 6:12). Gideon had “why” questions for the angel. Why has all this happened to us? Where are the miracles which our fathers told us about?
Again, we see when God’s people cried out to the Lord, the Lord responded. The Spirit of God raises up prophets to proclaim what is in God’s heart. In the New Testament, all of God’s people are called to be prophetic. Some are called into the office of Prophet. He also anoints those called to lead into the battles that face us. Leaders are developed to lead God’s people to fulfill God’s purpose. Both leaders and people work together in defeating God’s enemies and to establish righteousness in the land.
A leader is first called, but then must be forged. The story of Gideon is the story of how the Spirit of God called a farmer and formed him into a leader. Gideon became a judge of God’s people. The character of leadership is something that all of us should press toward. As a believer, one is automatically called to be a leader. It might be at work or school or in the neighborhood. God has called for His people to learn to lead in society. It is time for the people of God to arise and volunteer to take back territory the enemy has stolen.
As Gideon was visited by the angel of the Lord, he asked hard questions. He sought to prove what he was hearing. God wants us to prove Him. A key to being developed by the Spirit of God is to wait upon Him and test all that we hear so we can obey with true faith. The expression of true faith is found in obedience. Obedience must first be expressed by obeying God’s written word. Obedience requires studying and praying concerning the word of God preached by His servants. Obedience is expressed by becoming sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in one’s life. This kind of obedience demonstrates a true faith toward God.
In the normal flow of life, the Spirit of the Lord will speak to us and call us to a place of influence in our sphere. When He does, ask the questions that are in your heart. Prove Him fully and then simply obey as Gideon did. Our God wants to show Himself mighty through His willing servants.
Father, speak to me and cause me to be an influence for righteousness in my sphere of influence. Help me to obey as Gideon obeyed and to prove you mighty through my life.
by George Runyan | Jun 5, 2017 | Devotional, George Runyan
Judges 5:31 – Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord; But let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might.
This verse is taken from the song of Deborah which covers the whole fifth chapter. It is her song of victory after defeating the Canaanites. The enemy had created problems for the work force in Israel. The highways were deserted and travelers went by roundabout ways. Society was in turmoil without security for tomorrow. When God’s people are serving the Lord and His purpose there are “pleasantries.” But when God’s people choose to serve the gods of this world, the pleasantries cease.
At the time of this writing, our nation has forsaken the Spirit of the living God and we are hurting in many areas, just as Israel was at that time. The nations of the world that serve false gods of secular humanism have taken control. Many in the church seek after worldly ways to expand the church, but God’s Spirit is frustrating their efforts.
Deborah, a prophetess and a judge over Israel, received a word from the Lord that He was about to deliver the Canaanites into Israel’s hands. She gave that word to Barak who was told to take an army against Jabin’s army and that Israel would conquer the enemies of God. God’s Spirit is looking for those today, who will hear and obey God’s word. The world is in crisis and only the people of God can bring the deliverance that is needed. It will take those consecrated to the Lord’s will. Judges 5:2 sums up our thought in today’s devotion, “That the leaders led in Israel and the people volunteered.”
God is looking for those called to lead. He is seeking a people that will volunteer. It is time for the people of God to arise and take down the enemies of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord is looking for the Deborah’s and the Barak’s of today. Read over Deborah’s song in Judges Chapter five and see if the Lord has things to say to you.
Oh Lord, my prayer is that all Your enemies will perish and that those who love You will be like the rising of the sun in its might. Father, strengthen me to be an example in my life of how to overcome the enemies of God. Cause me to be a volunteer wherever Your Holy Spirit leads me to serve in order to accomplish Your purposes in this season.
