Judges 6:7-10  When the Israelites cried out to the LORD because of Midian, he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live.’ But you have not listened to me.” (NIV)

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Before God raised up the Mighty Warrior in Hiding named Gideon, he sent a prophet to tell them why they were experiencing such maximized problems. Then God turned a faithless scaredy-cat into a mighty warrior who took things way farther than intended, and way off the script God had written for him. 

It is devastatingly sad when we consider ourselves the masters of God’s mission and the enforcers of God’s justice. God doesn’t need our help beyond what he commands or asks. God sets the limits of wrath. Obedience becomes disobedience when we take one step beyond his direction. 

Sometimes, mighty warriors enjoy their jobs way too much. 

The temptation to think God’s purposes are all about us is always with us, and it is always wrong. God does what is right, just, fair, and compassionate for all people, even those we consider enemies. God loves everyone, and so should we. War should always break our hearts, not thrill our souls. 

Gideon had a hard time getting started. He also had a hard time stopping. The bookends of his life story are Coward and Warlord. Somewhere in the middle, he did what he was supposed to do, but then he took steps far beyond what God intended. 

The ever-present danger is to think God’s plans and purposes are all about us. The reality is that God’s plans and purposes are all about all people, not just us. 

These realities should shape the way we pray about every kind of conflict. These realities ought to shape the way we think about collateral damage. These realities ought to shape how carefully we listen for precisely what God says and do only what he commands. 

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I will operate within the limitations God sets for me. 

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Our Father, give me ears to hear what you were saying to me today. Give me a willing and obedient heart to do all that you command. Forgive me for thinking your commands are all about me. Forgive me for those times when I have tried to do your will my way. Forgive me when I have gone farther than I should, and please keep me from going that far ever again. Amen.