Judges 7-8
I wish I had the confidence to face my fears that Gideon did! He was given multiple, clear signs to confirm what God was asking of him and would do through him. This gave him the confidence to overcome his fears. The first three of these, Gideon asked for. The fourth, God offered to him. Obedience would be so much easier if I was confident about the ask! I would love to be able to discern between what comes out of my own mind and what God puts there. I suppose the first step is to stop making excuses about things and just take a step toward something and see if the way is made clear before me.
Luke 13:23-35
I don’t think I ever noticed that it was some Pharisees who came to Jesus in an effort to save him from Herod. I know there was a small group of Pharisees (and possibly some other religious leaders) who secretly believed in Him. Nicodemus may have been one of these, and also Joseph of Arimathea, who buried Jesus in his tomb.