Title: Not A Time For Questions / Topic: Obedience

Today’s Reading: Judges 6; Judges 7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14

Scripture: Judges 6:12-14
12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."
13 "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."
14 The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"

Observation: Gideon is threshing wheat in a winepress at night to conceal the wheat and keep it from being taken by the Midianites. The above conversation happens at that place. The angel affirms Gideon but Gideon has an objection (see the italicized portion above).

Application: This is a question many people ask. If God is with us, or if God is real, or if there is a God, why are these bad things happening to us? (or happening at all).

Of course, Gideon seems to have forgotten that the Israelites have broken faith with God by their idol worship and pagan practices. Sin has many consequences and losing God's blessing is one of them. So many people question God's goodness because of suffering brought on by man's sinful condition. But responsibility for suffering belongs on the shoulders of man, not God. It is God's mercy that we are even alive.

And God is with Gideon and He is there to help Gideon to get a victory and deliverance for God's people, in spite of their sin. Notice that God does not answer Gideon's objection but simply tells him to get going. There is a time when questions are out of place and obedience is the order of the day.

Prayer: Lord, I am grateful that You provide deliverance even when we do not deserve it. Your continuing mercy upon us is amazing to me. Help me to be a man who hears and obeys Your call to action. And deliver us from our enemies that we may reach Your world with the Gospel of salvation.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.