4.27.10 "The Slow Descent to Greatness"

"The Slow Descent to Greatness"

Judges 7:1-8:17
Luke 23:13-43
Psalm 97:1-98:9
Proverbs 14:7-8

He was a man who didn't think much of himself. He was hiding. He was afraid. His people were in bondage to the Midianites. One day the Angel of the Lord came to him. "Mighty soldier, the Lord is with you!"

This must be a mistake. "If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened... where are all the miracles..." (Judges 6:13) "The Lord turned to him and said, 'I will make you strong! Go and save Israel from the Midianites! I am sending you!' But Gideon replied, 'Sir, how can I save Israel? My family is the poorest... and I am the least thought of in the entire family!" (vs14-15)

The descent began.

The first task was to begin in the home. Tearing down idols. It was done in the dark for fear of the family. Once that happened, the new orders came. These orders were impossible. There's no way I could be used for that.

There was the attempt to get out of it: two tests with fleece. Both confirmed the call. The army was formed.

Thirty two thousand men. We might have a chance.

"The Lord then said to Gideon, 'There are too many of you! I can't let all of you fight the Midianites, for then the people will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength!'" (Jud 7:2)

Then the tests began. The 32,000 became 300. A deeper course of descent.

There were always doubts, there were fears. But always at the right time the Lord confirmed his word. Many times it came when it was so desperately needed. "When Gideon heard the dream and the interpretation, all he could do was just stand there worshiping God! Then he returned to his men and shouted, 'Get up! For the Lord is going to use you to conquer all the vast armies of Midian!'" (Jud 7:15)

So many think that victories are won through men who rise to greatness. That's not what happens. Greatness is not realized in the glorious ascent to the pinnacle. It is forged in the depths of adversity and refinement.

Take a look at another man.

The sign read, "This is the King of the Jews". He too was to save the people, yet there was no one to cheer him on. The ones he was sent to save were united in their cause. "But now a mighty roar rose from the crowd as with one voice they shouted. 'Kill him, and release Barabbas'... they shouted, 'Crucify him! Crucify him!'" (Luke 23:17-21)

I was thinking about the life of this man. What needed to be done could have been done in a few minutes because of the power at his disposal, yet that was not his path.

As a creator the greatest descent was to become a man. As a man, the descent to greatness of this one occurred over the course of 30+ years. It began as a helpless infant, and then continued as "the son of man came not to be served, but to serve".

The descent continued in the words, "Father, forgive these people, for they don't know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

Of the crowds that were there, it was a thief who saw the greatness for what it was. "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.' And Jesus replied, 'Today you will be with me in Paradise.'" (Luke 23:42-43)

Greatness.

What about you?

God has a plan for each one of us to change the world. The greatness he has for us is often a different picture than what we would imagine. Oh don't get me wrong. Many of us aspire to rise to greatness, but when the path is one of depth, we struggle against the process.

"Surely, God you wont reduce my army!" "I don't want to give that up!" "You want me to forgive THEM???"

At some point we will hopefully recognize the trial as God's plan to prepare us for greatness, and we will obey, and we will surrender. At some point we will allow the presence that we've sensed around us to pierce the shell we've placed around our inner self, and we will open up to His Spirit, and in vulnerability allow him to make us who he wants us to be.

Descend to Greatness.



Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ