Then Gideon said to God, “If Thou wilt deliver Israel through me, as Thou has spoken, behold I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that Thou wilt deliver Israel through me, as Thou has spoken.”
Judges 6: 36-37 (NASB)
Scripture: Genesis 18: 16-33
When can we question God? This devotion explores several Bible characters who did just that. We are discussing how to question in faith and how not to question in doubt.
If we grew up in church, we’ve heard the story of Gideon since we were knee high to a bullfrog. The Israelites had been bad boys and girls again, and God had given them over to be conquered by the Midianites. Every time the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites would destroy the crops. It is kind of hard to eat that way.
After seven years (that’s a long time), God made it known to Gideon that He had big plans for him. Giddy did the standard “Who me?” routine. So, God did His “yes, this is really Me, and yes, I really mean you” part.
Giddy then put God through a test. He got out a fleece and asked God to make the fleece dewy but the ground dry. The next day he reversed it.
Gideon put God to the test because he doubted. We just have to be careful about who we are doubting – God or ourselves.
God doesn’t mind if we question Him. When you think about it, a lot of people have questioned God.
Didn’t Abraham question Him when He was on the way to Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18: 16-33)? He kept his “what if” questions up until he was down to ten people. God didn’t seem angry with all of those questions.
Moses also asked how God was going to prove Himself to His people. God used a simple staff as His answer (Ex. 4: 3-5). Really, all Moses did was ask what if the people don’t believe he was sent by God? He didn’t ask for signs and wonders. God was the One to make up the test. And God made up other tests for Moses to participate in – ten of them, in fact, the ten plagues. He can – and will – show His power to convince people – if He so chooses.
But the ones I mentioned questioned in faith, believing God’s plan was best. People don’t always do that. The best contrast to show you what I mean is through the stories of Zacharias and Mary. Zacharias questioned Gabriel because he doubted God. Because of his doubt, he couldn’t speak until John was born and named (Lk. 1: 20, 63-64). Mary questioned Gabriel but was submissive throughout (Lk. 1: 34, 38). She was just looking for clarification.
God doesn’t seem angry when we question Him. We just have to make sure we question Him in faith and don’t step over the line into doubt. God can pass any test we put to Him.
We have to be ready to say, as Mary did, “… Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word …” (Lk. 1: 38 NRS). We just need to put our faith in God that His plans for us are the best.
Dear God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob. Lord, You created us. You have allowed us special relationships in which we can call You Father. As our Father, You are very patient with us. You indulge us by letting us question You to make sure we understand and are doing Your Will. Through these questions, You reaffirm Your love for us. Father, we reaffirm our love for You. May we always question in faith. Amen.
What do you think? Do you think there is a fine line between faith and doubt? How can we keep on the faith path and stay off the doubt path? Leave me a comment below or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
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