In June 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his essay called “The Power of Non-Violence,” shared that the idea of peaceful opposition didn’t make sense to many people. He wanted his sympathizers to understand the potential benefits of “attacking the evil system rather than individuals who happen to be caught up in the system.” King stood up for Christian ideals and went against popular opinion.

So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had told him.

Judges 6:27

In today’s passage, Gideon went against the accepted way of life as well. An angel of the Lord asked Gideon to tear down the altar to a false god. He complied, but when the village men awoke, they wanted to kill the party responsible. Worship of idols was the way of life for these people. But Gideon, by the Lord’s command, ushered in a new way – and honored the one true God in the process.

Christian ideals often go against society’s norms, but the benefits of living by such ideals are limitless. Stand firm in what you believe and point others to a new and better way of life with Jesus. Pray, too, for this nation’s citizens and its leaders to start 2015 worshipping the one true God.

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 43:16-21