The Lord told Gideon to tear down the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole and on that site build a proper altar to the Lord, sacrificing a bull on the altar. Before Gideon could truly serve the Lord, he had to remove everything that kept him from serving the Lord. He did so, but at night, because he knew he would evoke the fury of his neighbors. The next day they wanted to kill Gideon, but his father pushed back, saying, "Let Baal defend himself, if he really is a god." They named him Jerub-Baal, "Let Baal contend with him." To serve the Lord, we must remove all the altars in our own hearts and serve only him.

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he summoned an army to him. But he still wanted to make sure, so he asked the Lord for two signs involving a fleece and the morning dew. Gideon had the Lord's promise. That should have been enough. The Lord will always come through on his word.


Application: Father, help me to tear down the idols in my heart and worship and serve only you.
One Word: Tear down your altars and worship God