Gideon said to Him, “Please Sir, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all His wonders that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Hasn't the Lord brought us out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.” Judges 6:11-12 HCSB
In my 40 plus years in ministry I have witnessed many faithful Christians suffer for a variety of reasons. One friend of steadfast faith comes to mind. His wife was tragically killed in an accident leaving him to raise two boys. He eventually remarried and prepared to go to the mission field, but that did not work out. One of his sons was tragically killed, his other son was severely injured in an accident, and his young grandchild died of sudden infant death syndrome. Additionally, his wife has had multiple health issues. If there is anyone who would have reason to question God and ask, “Why me Lord?” it would be him. Yet, his faith is unwavering and he continues to passionately serve God.
Gideon questioned God asking, “Why has all this happened?” The Israelites had been conquered by the the Midianites and were basically living in slavery. Gideon felt that God had abandoned them. He failed to acknowledge that the people had actually abandoned God and worshiped false gods. They had disobeyed and rejected God. Many of the problems they were experiencing they had brought upon themselves. God had promised this would happen if they did not stop worshiping false gods and turn back to Him.
Challenge: It is easy for us to overlook our own personal disobedience and blame God for our problems. We must take responsibility for our actions and acknowledge that we are responsible for many of the problems that come our way. God sometimes uses difficulties to test us or to use us as an example to others of how to face adversity. I believe my friend is a living example of how to faithfully trust God in every situation, even in the difficult situations that may come life's way.
Read The Bible Through In Two Years: Genesis 35:1 – 36:43; Matthew 23:1-39