Guess Who's Coming to Dinner 

Reference: Judges 6:3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel, 4 camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys.

Observation: The Israelites found themselves harassed and overcome by these uninvited guests- the Amalekites and Midianites. They stole or destroyed their crops and took all the animals for food. This was not the first time in their history that these enemies were tormenting them.This was an enemy they should have defeated and destroyed a long time ago. The ancestors of these people groups were actually related to the Israelites through Abraham (Gen 25:2), Moses (Ex. 3:1), and Esau (Gen. 36:12). It was sort of like having outlaws for inlaws. Several times God had told the Israelites to completely wipe out these enemies, but they failed to follow through, and now here they are back again. God doesn't give up on His people, and through Gideon, Israel has another chance to rid themselves of their unwelcome company. 

Application/Confession: It is frustrating to have sin issues in my life that keep coming back uninvited. Just when I think I've overcome in some area, the enemy taunts and tempts me, and occasionally I surrender and stumble. It is often something God told me long ago to get rid of - to put away childish things, to take captive my thoughts. I find myself needing to be rescued again and again by His grace. He continues to freely give it, but He really wants me to allow His Spirit to tranform me to walk in constant faith and victory.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to stomp on the enemy's head and not let up until he is humiliated and destroyed. Let me walk in victory and advance your kingdom, not cower in fear or give in to old habits.