Questions for the Lord

Questions for the Lord

“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manassah, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judged 6:15 NLT)

Have you ever felt like Gideon? When circumstances begin to overwhelm you and the pressures of decision making saps your resolve, questions may arise in your mind just like they did with Gideon. If the Lord sat down with you for a question and answer session wouldn’t you seize the opportunity to ask a few pertinent questions? Maybe your questions would resemble those of Gideon: Why are you asking me to do this? How can I possibly complete this assignment? Lord, don’t you think you chose the wrong person? Or perhaps your questions would take a different tack: Where will I get the funds to finance this overseas mission trip? How can I support my family without a job? What will happen to our relationship? I’m sure you can pose some questions that cover spiritual, emotional, physical, and relationship issues.

     How does the Lord react to our questions? The good news is that God welcomes our questions. They don’t upset him. He doesn’t get angry when we question our circumstances or his plan for our lives. Look how he responded to Gideon. He didn’t get upset. He didn’t reprimand him. He patiently dealt with each excuse. He didn’t require that Gideon have some super strength or courage. He simply said, “Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” (Judges 6:14 NLT)

     Isn’t it encouraging, to know that we can come to the Lord in worship knowing he is not “bent out of shape” by our questions? He is fully aware that, like Gideon, we often feel weak, discouraged, or overwhelmed in our everyday lives. I believe he wants us to bring our questions, doubts, fears, and issues that plague our minds to him. The Scriptures urge us to bring everything to him in prayer—our praise, our thanks, our doubts, our questions, and yes—even our failures.

     The Lord’s response to you will be the same as it was with Gideon—“I will be with you” (6:16. If God is for us, who can possibly be against us. (Romans 8:38-39).

     Be honest with God. Tell him all that is on your heart. Don’t leave anything out. Nothing is hid from him who knows and sees all things even our very thoughts.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I take great comfort in the fact that you are patient and longsuffering with us. I feel confident and free to come to you with all my needs and desires knowing that you hear and care about me.