We are generally wired to do things for God and serve Him but God lives to reveal who He is.

Let’s look at the story of Gideon in Jud 6. God calls him to action against the Midianites and calls him ‘mighty warrior’ (12) but doesn’t seem in a hurry.

1.Gideon asks for a sign

So after God has called him, Gideon actually asks for a sign to prove it’s God talking to him (17). This is previous to the request for two more signs involving the dew on the ground that this story is so well known for.

And God answers with a sign but one that is a revelation of who He is. He supernaturally burns up Gideon’s offering and when Gideon is afraid that he will die, God speaks peace (‘shalom’) into his life.

2.Yahweh is Shalom

This revelation of “Ywh is SHALOM” (24) is significant because God is not task driven. He wants Gideon to know Him and His character. He loves to reveal Himself. He is the God who shows Himself to us, without us dying. He is the God who brings peace in the midst of trouble.

Why is this a significant word? Firstly, because it was a relevant word for Gideon, who was afraid of dying in beginning this friendship with the Lord. He received it and built an altar calling it, ‘Yahweh is Shalom’.

Secondly, because it was a time if great turmoil and insecurity and both Gideon and the Israelites needed to know God’s peace at this time.

Isn’t this such a relevant word during our current global crisis?

3.Revelation-driven not task- driven

But today we are task driven and seek God for how to succeed first rather than just experience of Him. God instead loves to first of all reveal Himself FIRST.

Gideon starts with learning about God and only later does he run with his call to engage the Midianites in battle.

We build first on revelation of who God is. Then we can go about our tasks!

Activation

This week, make time to seek the Lord for revelation of Himself first rather than asking Him to help you with all the things you need to get done.