An Unexpected Answer

“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?’

Judges 6:13 (NIV)

Have you ever looked at your life, watched the news, or examined your situation and asked yourself, "Where is God in all this?"

It is a deeply human question. It runs throughout the Scriptures, yet nowhere is it expressed with as much frankness, honesty, and clarity—a clarity that resonates within us—as in the story of Gideon. When we encounter Israel in Judges chapter 6, the people are not marching toward victory; they are in hiding. The Midianites have paralyzed the nation. They swarm the land like locusts, destroying crops and livestock. Israel is devastated, terrified, and forced to take refuge in caves.

The people cry out to God. God hears them. Yet, His answer is not to immediately strike down the enemy. Instead, He sends a prophet to remind them of their compromises, and then He appears at a farm in Ophrah to speak to a young man named Gideon. When God appeared to Gideon, His goal was not to answer every question or simply offer hope. Rather, He wanted to tell him that He Himself was the answer (v. 14). This is where we often go wrong when we call upon God: we expect Him to do everything while we remain mere spectators.

Instead of complaining to God, reminding Him of His past actions, or telling Him what He ought to do, take the time to listen to Him; for His answer will never be exactly what you expected. Most often, He reveals that you already had the answer and simply lacked the faith to act.

May the grace and peace of God be with you.