Fleeced by a Fleece

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
Judges 6:1-40

"So Gideon said to God, 'If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said -- look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by hy hand, as You have said.'"  Judges 6:36-37 (NKJV)

Have you ever asked God to confirm His will to you?  "Lord, just show me a sign."  Most of us can be pretty good at striking bargains with God.  We may very well know what God wants, but we just need a little extra nudge.  Sometimes its more than a nudge; God practically shoves us into His will.  We promise God all kinds of things if He will just meet us half way -- or maybe three-quarters. 

I certainly do believe that God often confirms His will to us, but too often, our need for confirmation is nothing more than a cover for our unbelief.  We should never be led by signs or circumstances.  We should be led by the voice of God. 

Gideon is a classic example.  He asks God for a sign -- a fleece that becomes wet with dew while all the surrounding ground stays dry.  His true form shows itself when God gives him the sign he asks.  Rather than accepting the confirmation, he asks for a second one!  He is a little boy standing on the end of the diving board seeking some kind of assurance that everything's going to be ok before he's willing to jump.

God's highest way for us is not that we require multiple signs before we obey.  He wants us to hear Him and move out BY FAITH on what He says.  Gideon ALREADY knew what God had said.  Notice the end of verse 37 -- "as You have said."  God in His graciousness is patient with our hesitations.  But, His best way is INSTANT OBEDIENCE GLADLY GIVEN.