This morning I got up early, made the coffee and started the laundry, before sitting down for my prayer time. I just love a quiet house first thing in the morning. Today, I read about Gideon in the Old Testament. Gideon is one of my most favorite characters and I’ve written about him several times. In fact, as I get to that part of Judges I even begin to smile – for I remember all the precious lessons the Lord has taught me through this great man’s life. Gideon was not an obvious warrior. In fact he pleaded with the Lord that he was the least in all his family! However, God knew that with His strength He could make even Gideon a strong leader!
These are the things that make me smile about his life. But what I saw this morning was a fresh new lesson that I’m looking forward to putting into practice starting today!
Judges 6:34 (ESV)
But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon,
and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.
Okay, I know at first this verse doesn’t seem to be that impactful. However, I couldn’t get “the Lord clothed Gideon” out of my head and my heart. Let me give you a little context here. Their leader, Joshua, has recently died and they have already gotten away from serving the Lord their God. In fact, the 6th chapter of Judges starts out by saying that they were doing evil in the sight of the Lord. As a result of their sin, they were being attacked by their enemy, the Midianites. Under such distress the children call out to God for help. God chose Gideon to be the leader of His rescue mission.
Right before the time came for Gideon to bring the tribes together to fight, we read this verse above. It’s almost as if God was thinking… “I know what’s in store for you and I want to make sure you’ve got the right outfit on for this task. Therefore, I’m going to clothe you with what you need.”
Growing up, my Mother used to lay out my Dad’s clothes on Sunday morning. He always claimed he was colorblind and needed Mom’s help. Perhaps that was true. But I think over the years it was a win-win for both my Mom & my Dad. He got his clothes laid out for him, and she made sure he wore what she wanted him to for Sunday morning. Some Sundays required a suit – for it was his Sunday to serve Communion or be a greeter – other Sundays he might just need a nice shirt and slacks. Either way – my Mom would lay out the clothes that would best fit his required service.
Today, I find myself doing the same thing for our daughter. Everyday she wears the same uniform to school. It certainly makes getting ready on a busy school-morning nice & easy. I have no doubt that Jordan could do this herself, but she has come to love that she can go upstairs after breakfast and find her clothes all laid out for her for her day at school.
I thought about what my Mom does for my Dad and what I do for Jordan, this morning, as I read about Gideon being clothed by the Lord. What an outfit that must be – to be clothed by the Lord! It made me wish that the Lord would say to me at the start of my day, “I know what’s in store for you today – therefore, I’ve laid out your clothes for you.”
Then I realized – He does do that! That’s what happens in my prayer time! It’s there that He provides me with an outfit of strength for those difficult moments He knows I’m going to face. It’s during that time that He clothes me with His steadfast love, so that I not only feel loved & cared for – but so I can pass it on to those around me! He knows when I’m going to need an extra measure of patience for those frustrating situations that creep into my day and He covers me perfectly. That’s the beauty of God’s clothes – they fit perfectly!!! He knows my exact size!
Today, whether you’re doing laundry, hanging up clothes, laying clothes out for your family, or putting on certain clothes for specific tasks yourself – get a visual of the Lord laying out His clothes for you! Wear them proudly and serve Him ardently – for He’s picked out the perfect outfit for the task that He’s given you today!
Penny is a Pastor’s Wife and Women’s Minister who is currently serving on staff and alongside her husband at Journey Christian Church in New Orleans, La. She is the mother of a beautiful 6 year-old girl and very active 3 year-old boy. She adores her family and considers them her most important ministry! She has a heart for women to truly know the love of Christ. She mentors and disciples women in cities dotted across the country and currently writes devotionals that are sent to both men & women coast to coast. You can find Penny at her blog, Living Above Ministries.
Oh daughter girl, how I love this one. It is one of my favorites and I am so glad I re-read it today. I need to be clothed with the Lord today and everyday. He truly speaks thru you and that is worth so much more than anything else He can do for you because He knows that you are building up His kingdom with the words & works He gives to you. I never dreamed that you would have come this far when I think back on your life say 10 years ago. God has done a marvelous work and I praise Him & you for things He & you are doing for the only eternal thing…His kingdom come…
Awesome, Penny! I’ve always loved that God clothes us with Himself and especially through prayer. Beautiful! Thank you for the reminder. Blessings to you!
Great analogy.
I never thought to look at my time with the Lord each morning in this way, but it is so true! The amazing thing that spoke to me about this is that only the Lord knows what I will truly face each day. By coming to Him first thing each morning I know He will prepare me for whatever comes my way.
I needed to hear this today. For the last ten years I have felt like I don’t have the right clothes! God has given me responsiblities that I feel so ill prepared for. Responsibilities that I put little effort in to because I beleive I am lacking the skills. Most days, I feel like I have been dropped in the middle of a dark heavily wooded forest with no compass and have to find my way out. And who do I blame for this? I blame God. I am angry that I feel so lost. Why can’t he just make this easier? Isn’t there a switch he can flip so I can just be naturally excellent and joyful about my responsibilities? Why can’t being June Cleaver, Martha Stewart and Betty Crocker come easy to me!? So, I feel improperly clothed and wonder where He is. Yet, it is not He who left me. It is I who have left Him. And sometimes, the shame of returning keeps me from going back.