Brag on God Friday

What God Can Do with the Willing & Available

"The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years. But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him,so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him.  So the land had peace for forty years,until Othniel son of Kenaz died." Judges 3:7-11

Othniel, Caleb's younger brother (or some scholars say his nephew). What do you think he felt about being the deliverer? Here's my guesses:

1. Unworthy and inadequate. Perhaps he looked up to Caleb who he saw as larger than life. Perhaps he thought, "God could never use me."

2. Jealous & Prideful. Perhaps he looked at Caleb and thought, "He's not so great, why does God use him so much?"

3. Uninterested. Perhaps he was like the son whose father wants to give him the family business but he would rather do something else. Maybe he didn't like fighting and would rather cook (like Jacob).

But no matter the attitude it is obvious that he was willing and available to the Lord. And as a result not only was Israel rescued and sustained for 40 years but we get a glimpse of the beauty God is able to bring with a life laid down. 

Did you know there are 3 definitions for life in the New Testament?
1. Bios, which is your physical life.
2. Zoe, which is eternal life
3. Psuche, which is your mind, will and emotions. Your heart, your seat of affections.

And did you know when Jesus says, "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11), "The Son of man did not come to be served but to give His life for a ransom for many" (Mk 10:45) and "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." (Matt. 10:39) are all Psuche. Wow huh!

Unless a seed falls to the ground, beauty can not emerge. When we lay down our expectations, dreams, hopes-our plan for our life, we wont be disappointed because God brings forth life and life to the full!

But if we cling to our own _(fill in the blank with the thing hard to trust God with)_, our life remains a seed never bloomed. I think it's worth heeding Jim Elliot's advice, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." 

Yesterday I talked about God testing us. What is He testing you with? What is He asking you to plant in the ground/lay down and die with and trust Him to bloom?

"The Holy Spirit longs to reveal to you the deeper things of God. He longs to love through you. He longs to work through you. Through the blessed Holy Spirit you may have: strength for every duty, wisdom for every problem, comfort in every sorrow, joy in His overflowing service." T.J. Bach

I hope the Glimpse of Glory in Judges Series; A Bible study devotional through the book of Judges, has been a blessing to you so far. And I hope you will come by each weekday to get a glimpse of God's heart and character from the book of Judges. 

Chapter One
{Day One} Delighting in God as the Know-er of All Things
{Day Two} Reliance 
{Day Three} Bigger Picture 
{Day Four} Prepare for Battle
{Day Five} No More 

Chapter 2
{Day Six} Revealer 
{Day Seven} The Lord's Anger
{Day Eight} Love Conquers All
{Day Nine} The Great Rescue
{Day Ten} The Big Test

Will you take 20 seconds to share the url in your facebook status or share with your peeps on twitter so they can be encouraged too? 

And don't forget to subscribe below so you don't miss any of the Glimpses of Glory in Judges.

Will you join us in bragging on God?

Each Friday, I love to give others and opportunity to ban together and tell about how incredible God is. If you'd like to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness" click the link below and follow the prompts to link up your post. 

Please let your readers know by including a link in your post or put my button code (found on the side bar) so they can find these other great people bragging about the greatness of God.


And will you leave some comments on these sweet peoples posts linked up. It sure can get discouraging sometimes and a kind word goes a long way.

Linking up here: Spiritual Sundays