This is a reminder to myself today. I did the Beth Moore study Breaking Free years ago and have read the story of Gideon several times. You probably have too. But this is the first time I noticed and there was a significance to me about Gideon not only tearing DOWN the Baal altar at his father's home, but to use the wood from the asherah pole as fuel under the sacrifice and build ON TOP of it I love that! Slow learning sometimes.
“That same night the Lord said to [Gideon], “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering.””
Judges 6:25-26 NIV
The application for me: I need to tear down any stronghold of fear, anxieties, and worries and build bolder faith on top of that. The energy that fanned those fears can now be fuel for passion for a sacrifice to the Lord of boldness in my faith and trust in His setting me free from those fears. We remove something that is a stronghold and build something of faith on top. We have to build as well as destroy. Not only should the stronghold be torn down, but something should be built in its place - a sacrifice to God. Something better has to replace the stronghold and with Holy Spirit empowering us, something better will be built to the praise of His glory. (I realize I am being repetitious here, but that is what it takes for me, and I am talking to me!)
A proper offering now to God is myself. As Paul said, we are to present ourselves as living sacrifices offering spiritual offerings and to fan into flame the gift of God, ... for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
God is my stronghold.
4 comments:
Great post! I've found if something in my life needs to be removed, I'd better have something to put in its place. It reminds me of the story Jesus told of the demon that was cast out of a place and going back later found it all swept and clean and brought back more of his buddies to re-enter there.
Loved your message...God certainly is our stronghold.
A great message and the repetition is needed by all of us, I think, for the meaning to really sink in. I love the lesson in this!
Oh this is so good! Yes...when we tear down the strongholds in our life, we will build our faith in Christ as we see Him working in our moments of trust and obedience. I pray that God will help me to have the faith to move forward boldly, without fear! Thank you.
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