The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help. When they cried out to the Lord because of Midian, the Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites. He said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of slavery in Egypt. I rescued you from the Egyptians and from all who oppressed you. I drove out your enemies and gave you their land. I told you, ‘I am the Lord your God. You must not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you now live.’ But you have not listened to me.” Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” JUDGES 6:1, 6-12 NLT

God is faithful when we are faithless

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 TIMOTHY 2:13 NLT
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. ROMANS 5:8 NLT
“Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The LORD said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” Gideon replied, “If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the Lord speaking to me. Don’t go away until I come back and bring my offering to you.” He answered, “I will stay here until you return.” JUDGES 6:13-18 NLT

God is faithful when we doubt

Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” MARK 9:22b-24 NLT
The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.” The Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.” The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! Each man stood at his position around the camp and watched as all the Midianites rushed around in a panic, shouting as they ran to escape. When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath. JUDGES 7:2, 7, 12, 21-22 NLT

I must obey in the ordinary to see God’s faithfulness in the extraordinary

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. EPHESIANS 3:20-21 NLT

Community Group Discussion Guide

What comes to mind when you hear the words faithful or unfaithful?
What makes someone faithful or unfaithful in a relationship?
Read Mark 9:24. What do you currently “believe” God can do, but still need Jesus’ help with some level of unbelief?
Read Judges 7:19-22. Why do you think God’s miracle for Gideon occured after he was obedient?
In what specific areas do you need to obey God so that you can experience his extraordinary faithfulness?
What is your expectation of God’s faithfulness? In what way might God want to expand your view of his faithfulness in light of what you need?

Personal Reflection Guide

“Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love” are a few words from a classic hymn that often resonate deep within us. Throughout the story of scripture, we see these words play out in the lives of many of God’s people. When they turn from their ways and cry out to God in faith, he is merciful and intervenes. Disobedience always leads to chaos and consequence. But real repentance always leads to God’s mercy and grace. Take some time to talk with God. Review the story of your life. How do you relate to the words of this hymn? Where are you currently battling disobedience? What would it look like for you to turn from that and cry out to God in faithfulness? What steps do you need to take to walk in greater faithfulness towards God each day? As you go throughout your week, allow God to remind you of this conversation with him and encourage you to walk in faithfulness.

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