Just Making Sure

Verse of the day: Judges 6:39-40, Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me, but let me speak just once more: Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece; let it now be dry only on the fleece, but on all the ground let there be dew.” 40 And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, but there was dew on all the ground.

Many will read this passage of Scripture and conclude that Gideon was a man of little faith. Yet, Gideon is listed in God’s “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. We know that Jesus said that faith as small as a mustard seed could move mountains (Matthew 17:20). However, Gideon is an excellent example to follow in seeking God’s daily direction for our lives. Gideon’s first request for the fleece to be dew-soaked could have been explained scientifically, and therefore, with reverent fear, he approached God again, asking Him to do something that would be, “without a shadow of a doubt”, unexplainable by any scientific method or human reasoning. How often do we undertake smaller tasks than Gideon was facing without ever consulting with the Lord for direction? How often do we stop throughout our day and just ask God, what is your desire for my life today? How can I serve You today or serve someone else so that You will be glorified today? We set out to buy things, accomplish our own set of goals, but never ask for some confirmation from God to see if what we are buying is a need or a want, or if the goals we set are in line with God’s plan for our lives. What stands out more than Gideon’s desire to make sure he is on the right track, is God’s patience, mercy, and grace, in performing these miracles upon Gideon’s request. Let us not forget that God has already confirmed twice that He was the One sending Gideon, and even promised Gideon He would be with him (v. 16, 21). God demonstrate how patient He is with those who are His and who He calls into service. Psalm 103:8 says, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” Psalm 145:8-9 also says, “The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Gideon approaches God with reverence, and God demonstrates how kind and loving He is toward those who are His, even when their faith is small. James 1:5-8 clearly tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” God desires that we come to Him continually, seeking His guidance and His wisdom, and all He requires is that we have faith, even if it is faith as small as a mustard seed. In Luke 11:9-10 Jesus said, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” The key is to ask in accordance to God’s will and not ask amiss, for our own selfish pleasure (James 4:3). Gideon was seeking to fulfill God’s will and plan for His life, and was asking for verification of this plan. God, in spite of the fact that He had already communicated clearly to Gideon what He wanted from him, patiently answered Gideon’s request for more confirmation. When we find ourselves unsure of what our next step should be, or even if we know, but want to make sure we are on the right track, let us not be afraid to go to the One who set the plan in place. Our God is patient, merciful, and gracious. He knows our heart when we pray and ask, and He knows whether we are asking in faith. Like Gideon, let us make our requests for daily guidance with faith and godly fear, knowing that our God will always give us an answer, in His time of course.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).