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The Wet Fleece

  • Gideon said to God, If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken, behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry on all the ground, then shall I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken. It was so; for he rose up early on the next day, and pressed the fleece together, and wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. Judges 6:36'38 WEB.

    Gideon had a lot on his mind. He felt he had heard from God. So he tore down the pagan altar of baal and built an altar to the Lord over the spot during the night. Now all the townspeople wanted to kill him for doing it. Gideon had just met the Lord and was trying to be obedient, but it seemed like things were just getting worse. Meanwhile, enemy raiders were gathering troops to invade Israel, and the Lord wanted him to stop them.

    When the Lord first spoke to Gideon, his next thought was probably: "You are making that up." Gideon had so many questions as to whether it was actually God communicating with him. So he placed a fleece on the ground and asked the Lord to let the wool be wet, and the dirt around it dry when he woke up. It was.

    Then Gideon reversed his test and asked for the fleece to be dry and the ground wet the following morning, and it was. So even though the first fleece test was successful, Gideon wanted a second test to confirm it.

    When you hear from the Lord, it's normal for the next thought to be one of doubt like Gideon's. Jesus told us that when the word is sown, the enemy comes immediately to snatch it away (Matthew 13:19). So Gideon asked the Lord for confirmation and then used the fleece as a test.

    In my own life, fleece-type confirmations worked when I truly needed direction, and I really didn't know if it was the Lord speaking to me. Then after I came to know Him better, they gradually seemed to stop working. It required more faith and more trust. When I am completely stalled, He may give me a sign to encourage me to take the next step, but it's rarer these days. After you have walked with Him for a while, it becomes "signs following" and not "signs leading."

    We help a child learn to walk, but we expect them to walk on their own after they learn how. As we build a relationship with God and take on the mind of Christ, we begin to know when the Lord is speaking. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice" (John 10:27), and that His sheep wouldn't follow a stranger for they won't recognize the voice (John 10:5). You will learn to tell the difference.

    Don't be surprised if you pray and the Lord speaks to you in some way. When He does, you'll probably think, "You are making that up!" We have all been there, but somewhere deep inside you, you'll know it's Him. Learn to trust God. If you miss Him, He will find you. He can keep you from deception when your focus is on Him, and hearing the Lord speak to you is easier than you think. One word from Him changes everything.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for all You have done for me. I pray that You teach me to hear Your voice better, recognize when it is You speaking, and protect me from deception. I want a deeper, more meaningful relationship with You today. Draw me close to You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link: Ladies in Distress


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22 comments
  • 3
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Heavenly Father, I thank You so much for all You have done for me. I pray that You teach me to hear Your voice better, recognize when it is You speaking, and protect me from deception. I want a deeper, more meaningful relationship with You today. Draw me close to You, Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️
Jul 6
  • 5
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes, amen Lord. 

Jul 6
  • 5
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen 

Jul 6
  • 5
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen 

Jul 6
  • 4
Candy Laventure
Candy Laventure

Amen!

Jul 6
  • 4
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Good Morning Everyone 

Jul 6
  • 3
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

Yes Amen.

Jul 6
  • 3
Kevin J. Eck
Kevin J. Eck

Father able me to recongnize your Voice, Amen!

Jul 6
  • 3
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

Jul 6
  • 4
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Lord Yeshua's name I pray this, Amen. I want to give Father Yahweh thanks and praise for a new job opportunity! On my way to finish up some paperwork and get my gear. God is the only One who opened this door through much prayer and following His lead.

Jul 6
  • 2
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Praising God with you, Richard!

Jul 6
  • 2
Deng Tembreza
Deng Tembreza

TO GOD BE THE GLORY 

Jul 6
  • 2
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen thank you for your patience and wisdom with me Father and for letting me know it really is you speaking to me Thank you so much for your confirmation.

Jul 6
  • 3
David Krull
David Krull

Amen. Draw me close to You Lord Jesus.

Jul 6
  • 2
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Yes Heavenly Father teach me to hear Your voice better and know it's Your voice. Thank You for all You do for me in Jesus Name I ask, Amen 

Jul 6
  • 3
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Father, may my ears and heart be open to Your promptings. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Jul 6
  • 2
Cristy Herzberg
Cristy Herzberg

Amen!

 

Jul 6
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

Jul 6
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! 

Jul 6
  • 3
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen, Pastor, thank you for today's message!!! We are no longer babies in Christ Jesus requiring milk, but we walk on faith and not by sight, and all of this because of His leading, and the direction of the Hl. Spirit, and because of His mercy and grace!!! We stand in awe of Him, the creator of all things to be so mindful concerning His children!!! (h5) (h5)

Jul 6
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Amen

Jul 6
  • 1
Sherry McCosh
Sherry McCosh

Father God, I thank you for the times that you have spoken to me and that you are always with me and guiding me in Your will for my life. Thank you that it is getting easier to hear your voice and I know for sure that it is you speaking when a few years ago I though my mind made those words up, but I knew you were speaking to me. Thank you for you guidance and your amazing love for me. I pray you speak to me and through me more often, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ I ask and pray.

Jul 12