Gideon conquered the enemies of Israel with an unimaginable distinction. However, unaware that Gideon’s success was at the Lord’s command through Deborah, the Israelites rather invited Gideon to rule over them instead of God. Gideon, who knew that the victory was from God, replied to them in Judges 8: 23, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you. Gideon complied with scripture in Psalm 29: 1; 96: 8, ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.
We must be careful not to claim God’s glory. Isaiah 42: 8; 48: 11 says, “I am the Lord, that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. Although by much persuasion, Gideon accepted the offer as king of Israel, he subjected his entire reign to God’s absolute rule with the help of Deborah. He never forgot God nor Deborah. Today, we rather claim God’s glory and occupy his positions of honour for his wondrous works. Jesus said in John 8: 50, I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. God’s rule over us is very relevant which we must seek as follows:
We must acknowledge God as our ruler
We must acknowledge God as our ruler and submit to him. 1Corinthians 6: 19-20 say, do you not know… that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price. This is counter to self-rule. If Jesus has bought us with a price, his blood, then he must rule in our lives and no other. Matthew 6: 24; Luke 16: 13 says no one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
We must make wise choices for a ruler
Joshua said in Joshua 24: 15, if serving the Lord is undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. We individually have a choice to make with consequences. Paul’s choice was thus, in Romans 14: 7-8 for none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
We must weigh the eternal benefits
Paul said in Philippians 1: 21, for to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. To Paul, his gain in eternity for God being his ruler surpassed all benefits in eternity. He said in 1Corinthians 9: 25, everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Expectant of a reward, he said in 2Timothy 4: 8, now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
We must separate God’s laws from others
Gallio said concerning Paul’s prosecution in Acts 18: 14-15, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law- settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” He dissociated himself from applying earthly rule to divine principles. However, today, without discernment, but in confusion, and with seared conscience, to commit such errors.
We must not forget that we are servants
We must remind ourselves that God is our owner therefore, as servants, we live to serve our master’s pleasure. Romans 14: 7-8 say, for none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Paul further reminds us in 1Corinthians 6: 19-20, do you not know… that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price.
We must return to God with our hearts
We must return to God with our hearts, not our lips. Jeremiah 24: 7 says, they will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. Jeremiah 31: 33; Hebrews 8: 10 say, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. It is only with the heart of honesty that God will rule over our lives to his glory and honour. Ezekiel 37: 27; Revelation 21: 3 say, my dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. God wants as he has stated in Deuteronomy 6: 5, you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. 2Corinthians 6: 16 says “I will live with them and walk among them. Is Jesus truly ruling in our hearts?
We must live by God’s statutes and will
Ezekiel 11: 20 says, Then, they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. This means we must not stray from his will as explained in Ezekiel 14: 11, then the people of Israel will no longer stray from me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins… declares the Sovereign Lord. Ezekiel 37: 23 also says, they will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. Straying and defiling ourselves need cleansing before God will be our ruler as perfect God.
Reflection
Without God’s rule in our hearts, we cannot be part of him in eternity. Jesus said in Matthew 15: 8-9; Mark 7: 6-7, “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their hearts are merely human rules.” The offer of God’s rule must come from the heart and must be renewed daily. If Christ Jesus is our ruler, we must obey his commands. Who rules in our hearts? Galatians 6: 7 says, do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, come and reign in our hearts as Lord and Saviour. Cleanse our thoughts and hearts to befit your presence and dwelling in our hearts. Let our obedience be to only you as our ruler. Make us humble and true to give you all the deserving honour and glory for your marvelous works. Let us remember your good works and through those through whom you have reached us. We repent of wrestling and rivaling your honour and glory. Direct us to your will, we pray in your Holy name, Amen!!
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