Wait a Minute God!

If you have read the book of Judges then you are familiar with this record of God's long suffering and compassion. Chapter 6 in particular, reveals an intimate portrait of God which begins when He appears to Gideon and asks him to, "Save Israel from Midian." Gideon admits his clan is, "the weakest in Manasseh "and he himself the "runt of the litter" so it is no wonder that Gideon is amazed that God would choose a weakling for such a formidable task yet, isn't it just like God to choose what the world deems as powerless in order to fulfill His purpose?

Gideon goes on to question God's sincerity, "If you are serious about this, do me a favor. Give me a sign to back up what you are telling me." In light of Mathew 12:39 when Jesus says, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign!" how do you think God handled Gideons request? Gideon continues on sounding almost commanding, "Don't leave until I come back and bring you my gift." If you've read this story then you know that God didn't thunder or strike Gideon down with Divine authority nor did He rebuke the "runt" into submission, no, instead He answered Gideon with, "I'll wait until you get back." The God of the universe patiently waited for Gideon, His disbelieving servant, to prepare a sacred meal of goat and bread and then hasten back to his Lord. After returning, God stretched out His stick to touch the meat and bread causing fire to burst from the rock consuming the "gift." Gideon exclaimed, "Oh no! Master God! I have seen the angel of God face to face!" But God reassured him, "Easy now. Don't panic. You won't die." The Net Bible puts it, "The Lord said to him, 'You are safe! Do not be afraid! You are not going to die!'" After which Gideon built an altar which he names of all things, "The Lord is on Friendly Terms with Me."

Do you believe the Lord is on friendly terms with you? Even when you are not on friendly terms with Him? Do you believe that you can ask the Creator to "do me favor and wait..." and do you believe He will? I think Satan would have us believe that God can be changed by our behavior - that God is moody and easily provoked by what we think, say and do yet we read in Deuteronomy 7:9, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." And for how long is God faithful? Hebrews 13:8 explains, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."