Greetings!
Did you ever ask, "Why Lord?" Chances are you have more than once. We look around at the circumstances we are in and the world around us and we ask, "Why?!?" Often we ask it like this, "God if you love us why do you let this or that happen?"
In Judges 6 we are introduced to a young man, the son of Joash. His name is Gideon. You may know that Gideon ultimately is used by God in powerful and miraculous ways to bless and deliver his people. But at first, not so much.
His nation and people are scattered, oppressed, in poverty and under constant attack by a group called the Midianites. The people are hiding in caves, watching their livestock and crops being destroyed. This is when Gideon boldly asks the Lord, "Why?" Here are his words, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about?"
God doesn't answer Gideon by saying, "OK I will fix all your problems." Nor does He say that He will explain Himself to Gideon. In fact I found God's response both strange and eye-opening. God says to Gideon, "Go with the strength you (already) have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”
God tells this young boy, use your own strength??? I am certain that Gideon was a bit dumbfounded by God's response at first. But God wasn't saying, "Do it yourself." God was testing to determine Gideon's willingness to be available despite the circumstances, despite the weaknesses in Gideon, and despite his doubts and fears.
All of this brought Gideon to the point of humility of admitting that he was weak and unable in his own strength. This wasn't an excuse. This was a statement of faith that God responded to by saying, "I will be with you." This is the promise of God to all of His children. He is with us.
Is God's presence sufficient enough for whatever circumstances you face.
