Quell The Uncertainties

Gideon told the Lord, “Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you.” And the Lord said, ‘I will wait until you return.’” Judges 6:18 As I read this over, I could not express my gratitude enough to God for the numerous times He has waited for me. Aside from our doubts, fears and hesitancies, God will wait for us. This wondrous loving and faithful God cares enough for us to wait; even when we do not merit it!
As I read about Gideon, I can’t help but think, “How could God be so patient and tolerant of Gideon’s doubts, and request after request to make certain God would do as he promised?” The answer is simple. It is because God sees more in us than we ourselves can imagine possible. God uses us because he looks within the deepest recesses of our heart. He sees through all the debris of inadequacies in our nature. But, he sees the potential and what we can do if we would submit to his call.
Gideon eventually accepted God’s call, reluctantly, but he accepted it when he was assured that God would be there at all times. Yes, he asked God for signs again, and again. The angel called fire to devour the food Gideon had brought. Then, Gideon put out a fleece on two consecutive nights. One night, he asked for the fleece to be wet and the ground to be dry, and the next night for the fleece to be dry and the ground to be wet.
Yet, God did not give up on him. I don’t believe God even reconsidered His choice for the job. The purpose of all this was to give Gideon the wherewithal; the strength and the faith he so desperately needed. Think about it, God did not give up on Gideon. He refused to do so even when Gideon had given up on himself. I go to the Word for reassurance and I always find it:
Hebrews 13:5-6 God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. What can mere mortals do to me?
Jeremiah 32:17 Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.