From: April 26, 2026
“And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.” (Luke 23:12 ESV).
Luke recorded for his readers that Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas became friends on the very day Jesus stood trial. Previously, these two rulers had been at odds, likely due to political tension between their jurisdictions. Pilate governed Judea, while Herod ruled Galilee. When Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, he acknowledged Herod’s authority over Galilean matters. Herod received this gesture favorably, and their prior hostility gave way to cooperation. Yet Luke showed that this new alliance was not built on truth or justice, but on their shared handling of Jesus. In this moment, ancient prophecy was fulfilled, for David had written that the kings of the earth would unite against the Lord and His Anointed in Psalm 2. What appeared to be political convenience was actually part of God’s sovereign plan, even though these rulers did not understand it.
We recognize that there are moments when worldly powers seem to unite in ways that feel overwhelming to us as believers. Like the early church in Acts, we can feel the pressure of opposition and the weight of threats against the mission of Christ. Yet this passage reminds us that even when rulers align against Jesus, they are never outside of God’s control. Their actions, though intended for evil, are still woven into His sovereign plan. Therefore, instead of being overcome with fear, we can respond as the first-century believers did. We can bring our concerns before the Lord and say, “Lord, look upon their threats” (Acts 4:29). We can entrust the outcome to Him, believing that He is able to handle every authority and power. At the same time, we do not retreat from our calling. We ask God to strengthen us to continue speaking His Word with boldness. When the world seems to conspire against us, we do not shrink back, but we trust God’s rule and press forward in faithful obedience.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess that we can feel overwhelmed when opposition rises against us. Remind us that You are sovereign over every authority. Look upon the threats around us and handle them according to Your will. Give us courage not to be discouraged nor retreat, but to continue speaking Your Word with boldness. Strengthen our hearts to trust Your plan and remain faithful to Your calling. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 26, 2025
‘And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”‘ (Judges 6:14 ESV).
The Lord told Gideon to go with the strength he had to rescue Israel from the marauding Midianites. But Gideon replied that he was far from being strong, he was the least in his family and from the weakest tribe in Manasseh. Yet God sent him.
God often chooses “what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor. 1:27). What has God sent you to do? Why do you delay? If God has sent you, He will surely strengthen and supply what you need. So, go in the strength you have!
PRAYER: Lord, we are weak, but You are strong. Give us this day the strength we need to answer Your call. We will willing go where You send us. Strengthen us with Your power. Our success is in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 26, 2024
‘Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew”’ (Judges 6:39 ESV).
Gideon’s fleece test –– Was it narrative or normative? I believe it must be considered narrative, a true story described, yet not prescribed. It is not to be taken as normative, meaning that it does not teach a norm, or a timeless method, on how to discover God’s will. “Put out your fleece” is not the best advice to be taken from this Scripture for those seeking God’s will.
Perhaps a better timeless principle to see is God’s patience with us and His willingness to reveal His will to us. He met Gideon where he was, based on his level of spiritual maturity. Gideon had some faith, but still needed more encouragement. He had already taken action to obey God’s call, yet along the way he needed reassurance that he was in fact called of God. He didn’t doubt God. He doubted himself. And God answered his “fleece test” to help him overcome his self-doubt.
Jesus warned that, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign” (Matt. 16:4). So, we must be careful in how we apply Gideon’s story. It is better to believe God’s word and obey it without question. But it is good to know that God is patient with us when we struggle with self-doubt along the way.
PRAYER: Dear Father, strengthen us to hear and obey Your call and Your Word. We sometimes struggle with doubt and seek confirmation. Give us wisdom to know when we must simply obey and when we should seek Your will more fully through prayer and through wise counsel. We want to walk by faith, not by sight. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: April 26, 2023
‘Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”’ (Judges 6:14 NLT).
The Lord told Gideon to go with the strength he had to rescue Israel from the marauding Midianites. But Gideon replied that he was far from being strong, he was the least in his family and from the weakest tribe in Manasseh. Yet God sent him.
God often chooses “what is weak in the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor. 1:27). What has God sent you to do? Why do you delay? If God has sent you, He will surely strengthen and supply what you need. So, go in the strength you have!
PRAYER: Lord, we are weak, but You are strong. Give us this day the strength we need to answer Your call. We will willing go where You send us. Strengthen us with Your power. Our success is in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.