Read this passage carefully
Joshua 3. Judges 6
10 And Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Hivites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Jebusites: (Joshua 3, NIV)
13 Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about (Judges 5, NIV)
Joshua told the Israelites >that God is with them and that He will drive out their enemies.
God did do that, as long as the Israelites were with God
But after they settled, things changed. They were “on anf off” with God
God was not always in favor of them, even though he never left them completely
Like a father who would still care for his disobedient and rebellious son, God was watching and taking care of them, providing and disciplining them
God disciplines for a raeson. Nothing just happens, as BishopT.D Jakes says
We all go through different types of situations in life. Sometimes we experience the favor of God. But at other times, we may not feel it
Gideon was asking a very sensitive, relevant question: >“O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?
Israelites, in this case, had “invited” the trouble themselves, by not walking in the ways of God. But on the other hand, we also see men of God like Job who went through the “worst”, while having the “best” certificate from God!
It is not up to us to judge others, when they go through something bad. Leave it to God and pray for such people
In good times and bad, God never leaves us. His caring, supervising eyes are upon us, even as our prayers are not answered. But it is O.K to ask God, if there is something wrong on our side. He will be more than happy to hear that!
God’s answer to Gideon’s question was an “action-plan”. In other words, God was saying, “you are the answer, Gideon”. Many a time, that is true!
God wants us to step out of our comfort zone and do something for God, His people. God will then take care of our problems
For today Prayer: Father God, thank you for all that you have done for us; your love, care and discipline. You created me and redeemed me through the sacrificial life and love of Jesus. Please show me what you want me to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.