Day 143
Judges 6:17
"And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then show me a sign that thou talkest with me."
In Judges 6, Gideon communicated with an angel who came on God's behalf to inform him of a divine assignment. Gideon was not accustomed to hearing from God, and therefore needed a sign to help him believe. In that chapter, Gideon received three signs to reassure him that God had spoken to him and would help him with his assignment.
Like Gideon, all of us had to begin somewhere in our relationship with God. The less we knew Him, the more we needed signs. As we grow in our personal relationship with the Lord, we will need signs less frequently to perform His will.
Gideon said, "If now I have found grace." He was not sure of God's favor (His willingness to use His power on Gideon's behalf) towards him. Asking for signs and waiting for confirmations exposes our level of relationship. Regardless of where we are, we should strive to grow closer to God by spending more time with him, so our confidence can increase.
Paul said, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him." He also said, "That I may know Him." He had increased in knowing God, which increased his confidence, but he realized there was stiII room to grow.
God can use all of us. However, the more our confidence in Him increases, the more useful we will be to the kingdom of God. We can be available to do more things on short notice when we do not need a sign for every instruction. We can go places others are afraid to go, because of our assurance that God's grace is with us.
I will draw closer to God and increase my confidence in His favor toward me. I will need signs or confirmation less and less, as I know Him more and more.