Almost all humans have questions regarding suffering, injustice, or lawlessness in society. Some are worried, or concerned or afraid. Gideon also had questions that he asked the Lord: “Please, my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” (Judges 6:13,14)
Is the Lord with us? This is a natural question any person who believes in God will have. Gideon knew that God saved the Nation of Israel from Egyptian slavery and tyranny. Now, why should His people become slaves again? Has God forsaken them?
What happened to us? Gideon understood the problem was not with God but with the Nation of Israel. Somehow, somewhere they got it wrong. He was trying to understand why God had abandoned them.
Wonderful deeds? God did mighty deeds including the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea to redeem Israel from slavery in Egypt. Why is God not doing such things now?
Lord’s Response: God commanded Gideon himself to go. He had to go with the strength he has. Gideon thought he did not have matching strength to face Israel. However, Gideon must go in faith, as he is being sent by God. The strength Gideon will receive was for the purpose of redeeming Israel.
Problem solver: Gideon had to realize that he was sent into this world to fulfill God’s purpose. He should not wonder what is happening, or why certain things are happening, instead discern how he could be part of the solution. All disciples are mandated to solve the problems of the earth. Like Gideon they ought to go in faith, with the available strength, expecting God to do mighty and marvelous things.
Do I solve problems as an instrument of God?