2 August 2010
Psalm 80; Judges 6:25-40; Acts 2:37-47; John 1:1-18

Gideon is obedient to the Lord’s will in tearing down the altar of Baal that belonged to his father and also the sacred pole next to it. The “mighty warrior” is afraid to do this during the day for fear of his father and the people of the town, and his fears appear to have been well-founded given their reaction. His father, however, understands and doesn’t join the mob against his son. We are told that “the spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon.” The result was a call to battle issued to certain of the tribes to come against the Midianites who had come down and encamped against Israel. Gideon was a man whose faith needed encouragement and so we see the sign of the fleece so that he will know that God is with him in this fight.

The prologue to John’s Gospel is as brilliant and beautiful as anything in the entire Bible. John takes us to Genesis and says that in the beginning was the Word. Not only was the Word there with God, the Word indeed was God, there is no distinction between God and His Word. From the start, Jesus was always there and it was through Him all things came into being, God spoke and it was so, the Word of God created what was spoken, the Word came to life. Lest we think John is engaging in philosophical speculation only, he tells us that John the Baptist came to testify to this light, the first word of creation, let there be light. Jesus, John the Evangelist here tells us, was that light and He has made God known by the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, revealing God’s glory in grace and truth. We could contemplate all the layers of meaning in this passage and spend all day in worship.

The Holy Spirit isn’t just operating in the disciples, He is also at work in their words and in the hearts of those who have heard the message, bringing them to faith. They were cut to the heart, they were believing the message. Could the disciples have ever imagined such a day and such a harvest, 3000 people believing in one day? What must their conversation have been that night, could they even have slept for excitement? Lives were utterly changed that day. People began worshipping together, eating together, praying together, doing life together and God kept on bringing people into their fellowship. I ask your prayers for the church this day using the Psalm.

Turn again, O God of hosts;
look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,
the stock that your right hand planted.