“If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all His miracles?”
Does is sound like I’ve been eavesdropping on your conversations or thoughts? Don’t worry, I haven’t! It’s not you or even me I’m quoting – it’s Gideon, the Man of Valor.
Yep, way before we ever uttered those thoughts, Gideon, who would become a great Judge of Israel, said them to not just anyone, but an Angel of the Lord (Judges 6:13).
Gideon has become one of my newest heroes. He was so real. I love that. I love it when people are real about their feelings.
This wasn’t the only time Gideon doubted God. Remember the tests he gave God with the dew and the wool fleece, not just once, but twice? Father, do this, then I’ll know for sure. Now do this and I’ll REALLY know!
When the time came for battle, after God had diminished the size of Gideon’s army, the Father knew Gideon would be afraid. He gave him away to over come that fear. He told him to take a friend and listen to what the other army had to say. Their words gave Gideon courage.
I don’t know about you, but the life of Gideon speaks to my heart.
How many times have I asked, “Why is this happening? Where is God? Where are the miracles of the Bible?” I’ve tested God, wanting some type of clear sign that my son would be OK. If I had a wool fleece and wasn’t afraid of what the neighbors might think, I would have laid it on the lawn. To be honest, I preferred a neon sign saying, specifically, “Kimberly, your son will be healed on this date (insert His date). This is how I’ll do it: (insert “The Plan”).” I want things to be clear cut.
Like Gideon, I’m a pro at double testing – questioning God’s response with yet another test. “Is that really your answer, God? Maybe You could make it clear by doing this too…”.
But, thankfully, also like Gideon, I’ve found God to be patient and understanding. My doubts, similar to Gideon’s, probably didn’t please Him, but He didn’t turn away from either of us in anger. Most importantly, He still did what He had planned. In both of our cases, He did great things for His children – just like the miracles of old.
How many times have I been afraid of what tomorrow held, and how many times has God carried me through my family’s battle? When your child has a serious health challenge, the battle can be so long.
How about you? Have you asked the same questions as Gideon and me? Have you felt the same fear? We all do. That’s why I’m so thankful for God’s Word. Not “only” do we get to know Him more, but we get to see ourselves in the men and women of the Bible. We get to see that God doesn’t call us to be perfect. He simply calls us to do this life with Him – doubts, fears, Million Dollar questions, and all.
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Are you asking the Million Dollar Question too and having doubts just like Gideon (and me!)? Take 25 days to get to know the God we serve and allow Him to erase your fears and doubts – take “The Faith Challenge“!
