GOD DOES HIS GREATEST WORK THROUGH SIMPLE ACTS OF OBEDIENCE by J. D. Greear via Core Christianity
Throughout the book of Judges, we see time and time again that God brings down the most powerful tyrants through weak human instruments simply doing his bidding—like left-handed Ehud, cowardly Gideon, the impulsive powerhouse Samson, and Jael, a housewife with a tent peg.
The writer of Judges is trying to make a point: God doesn’t need our ability (he never has), only our availability. God did it then, and he still does it today. He overturns unjust world systems through weak people walking in obedience. You see, Judges was written to prepare Israel for Jesus. At the beginning of the book, the judges prevail through the traditional means of military might. But the numbers dwindle as you go along. Deborah was able to send out an entire army. Gideon only went to battle with 300 men. And Samson, the last judge in the book, stands alone.
This is no accident. Israel was being prepared for the One who would overturn all the powers of death and hell through one simple submission to the Father. Jesus didn’t overturn death and hell through a mighty show of force; he didn’t come with a band of angels but through humble and faithful obedience, and he calls us now to follow him in obedience and trust. And, just as God transformed the world through Jesus’ obedience, he’ll continue to do the same through our obedience.
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It’s hard to think of a principle more applicable to parenthood, in which some days feels like a long string of mundane tasks, including changing diapers, getting kids to and from school, and trying to convince your kids that Cheetos and Pop-Tarts don’t make for a balanced diet. Add to that reality that becoming a parent just makes you feel more ill-equipped than ever because parenting is just plain tough.
