Tag: judges

Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, and William Carey are all names etched in hearts of people for being great men and women of God. But they all had one thing in common. They all went through the dark tunnels of life where they asked the question most of us ask: “Why, God, Why?” The Bible talks about one famous warrior who asked the same question – Gideon.

Judges 6:12-13 (NIV)– When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

God’s Call and Gideon’s Condition
If you and I were in God’s place we would’ve reserved title “mighty warrior” or “mighty man of valor” to the world’s most successful war survivor, or the captain of the United States Armed Forces. But when God called Gideon, he was indeed in sad condition, trying to bring some bread to his family before the Midianites came and ransacked everything.

God’s Call in God’s Timing
God’s call to Gideon was not exactly the right timing in our eyes. We would’ve waited for the most opportune time, such as after a major war was won, to bestow this medal of honor. But when God called Gideon, he was anything but a warrior. Scattered across the Bible are many such instances. Abram was called Abraham (father of nations) when he had no children; Moses was called to lead Israelites when he was most drained in life after being in Midian for 40 years. God often calls people to do his work, in God’s perfect timing.

God’s Call to an active Gideon
Often we hear people say that they will serve God when God tells them to serve. But we see when God called Gideon, he wasn’t just sitting idly waiting for God to suddenly appear out of the sky to appoint him. Gideon was doing the best he can do, improvising the situation, and trying to protect what belonged to him. He was aware of the enemy’s tactics and he was also aware of the enemy’s weaknesses. He knew that if he threshed wheat (which is supposed to be done in an open field) in a winepress (a low ground with sticky stuff all around), the enemy wouldn’t bother coming there. So in that sense, he was unknowingly being a warrior. If you want God to use you for a greater purpose, start with what you have already. Begin investing in the talents you have, work hard on serving God’s people in the smaller roles.

God’s Call that seemed sarcastic
The Angel of the Lord (which is interpreted by Bible scholars as Christ himself) coming and calling a scared, dejected and worn out Gideon a mighty warrior might seem sarcastic to us. Some may even consider it insulting. But Gideon understood that this was no ordinary man talking with him. Gideon’s response starts with “Pardon me, my Lord.” Gideon had the mindset even in his pain to understand the one talking with him was here for a purpose. If you are going through pain and the Lord comes to you with a gentle whisper, perhaps a word from the Bible, a thought in the night when your pillows are drenched with tears, don’t ignore Him. Allow the Lord to impart his divine plan into your life.

Gideon’s Response – A Cry of Desperation
Gideon’s response to God was not a statement of one who had no faith, or a statement of one trying to question God. Rather it was a cry of desperation from a man who was trying so hard to hold on God’s Word when everything around him was failing. His land was being ravaged, hope was fading, yet he still believed God was there—in that very moment and situation. He asked the honest, raw questions many of us carry deep inside. If you’re struggling too, know this: God isn’t angry at your doubts or questions. He’s listening, waiting to hear your heart. In fact,  the Lord came and sat next to you, just to hear you share your heart. Speak openly to Him and let the Holy Spirit guide you. The answers may not come all at once, or in the way you expect, but God is sovereign—and when He gives you direction, it’s always for your good.

Gideon’s Reaction – Jehovah Shalom
Judges 6:24 (NLT)- “And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the Lord is peace”)”. Gideon named the place Jehovah Shalom— not after the battle was won, but after he had an encounter with God. This commonly known name of God was birthed in the midst of utter chaos and confusion by a man who was called a warrior when he was infact a worrier. One encounter with God changed his perspective on things and caused him to put on the armor of faith.

Hall of Fear to Hall of Faith
Gideon is mentioned in Hebrews 11, the famous “Hall of Faith” chapter, which highlights Old Testament figures who lived by faith and were used mightily by God — despite their flaws, fears, and failures.

Hebrews 11:34 “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”

Personal Story
Our dear daughter Hannah was an example of one who held on to her faith till the very end. Despite going through 9 years of physical ailments and sickness she loved the Lord, served her Master, until He called her home to her eternal rest at the tender age of 16.

Life Application
Gideon asked the question I’ve asked—maybe you have too: “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened?” That wasn’t a complaint or something that questioned God’s existence. It was the kind of question that comes when your heart is in pieces and heaven feels silent. I don’t think God was offended by it. He didn’t correct Gideon. He didn’t even answer the “why.” Instead, He told him what to do next. “Go in the strength you have… Am I not sending you?” It wasn’t the answer Gideon asked for, but it was the one he needed. And somehow, that was enough for him to take a trembling step forward.

Maybe you’re asking “Why, God?” right now—I still do sometimes. And it doesn’t make you faithless. It makes you real. What I’m learning is this: God may not always explain the pain, but He’s still in it with us. He still speaks. And when He gives you even a whisper of what to do next, that’s your lifeline. You may not understand everything, but if you have His presence and one next step—you have enough. Take it. Not because you feel strong, but because He is stronger. Not because you know what’s ahead, but, as the song writer says, because you know that the One who holds tomorrow is the One who holds your hand.

Spanish version: https://dewdropsofmanna.com/spanish-pages-list/de-preocupado-a-guerrero/

Hindi version: https://dewdropsofmanna.com/hindi-pages-list/चिंता-करने-वाले-से-योद्धा/