Questions for God
The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour!
Judges 6:12
What would you do if the Lord sent you a message in the middle of your day? This happened to Gideon, one of the ancient Israelites. “The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour!’ ” Gideon could have responded with a wordless nod and gulp, but instead he said, “If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” (Judges 6:12–13). Gideon wanted to know why it seemed as if God had abandoned His people.
God did not answer that question. After Gideon had endured seven years of enemy attacks, starvation, and hiding in caves, God did not explain why He never intervened. God could have revealed Israel’s past sin as the reason, but instead He gave Gideon hope for the future. God said, “Go in this might of yours . . . Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” (v 14-16).
Do you ever wonder why God has allowed suffering in your life? Instead of answering that specific question, God may satisfy you with His nearness today and remind you that you can rely on His strength when you feel weak. When Gideon finally believed that God was with him and would help him, he built an altar and called it “The-Lord-Is-Peace” (v 24).
There is peace in knowing that whatever we do and wherever we go, we go with God, who promised never to leave or forsake His followers.
Read
Judges 6:11–16, 24.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to remember that in all the trials of life, You are with me, and that to help me if I call upon You. In the Saviour's name, I bless, praise and thank You. Amen.
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