Judges Chapter 8: Verses 22-23 (NIV-UK)
The Israelites said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us – you, your son and your grandson – because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.’
But Gideon told them, ‘I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.’
Even with a miraculous victory, the Israelites made the mistake of crediting Gideon as the one who delivered them from their enemies, and therefore wanted to have him as their leader. Gideon was quick to point out that it was God who should be the one they should be looking to as their leader and guide.
Its all too easy for us to put someone on a pedestal that we think very highly of – a mentor, a good friend and at times even a pastor or someone else who has helped us.
As Christians, if we have benefited from someone’s ministry then it is right to be thankful for their obedience to God’s leading which has been so beneficial to us. But we need to remember that it is God, through the Holy Spirit who has used them to minister to us, and therefore it is God to whom we should offer the thanks and the praise. We forget sometimes that these people that we hold in such high esteem are people like us, and sometimes we are quick to point a finger if they have the audacity to make the same mistakes that we do. (As Gideon did where we read in the verses immediately following these where we read of his request for gold earrings which were made into an ephod.)
The Israelites soon forgot about Gideon and went back to doing as they pleased. We should always remain grateful to those who have been so good to us, but most of all grateful to God who chose to use them to bless our lives.
Dear Lord,
I am truly grateful to have been blessed by many people who you have sent to guide, support and teach me through the years. But most of all I thank You for knowing what I needed to hear and do, and for using those whom You knew would make me listen and act. May I be as obedient to the prompting of Your Spirit to be a blessing to others, but always remembering that I am only the instrument in Your hand. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.