Believe

After years of working the same job and doing the same thing, it’s easy to fall into a stagnant, mind-numbing state of being. It may be hard to believe that anything will ever change. You go to work—you see the same people. You go to church—you see the same people. You come home—you see the same people (or not), and nothing changes.

In the bowels of the winepress, Gideon spoke like many of us have done or have wanted to, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us (or me)?” (Judg. 6:13).

Gideon may not have believed that the Lord had greater plans to use him and had just resigned to live his days out hiding from the Midianites. In the movie, Molly shared similar sentiments, “It’s just what it is, nothing more.” Have you ever had similar thoughts? I have wondered to myself if there was “anything more.” At times I have felt as if I am the only Christian on earth that hadn’t been given his “working papers.”

Gideon, like many of us, needed proof before believing, “If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the Lord speaking to me” (Judg. 6:17). And the Lord did.
“Then Gideon said to God, ‘If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way …” (Judg. 6:36). And the Lord did.
“Then Gideon said to God, ‘Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. This time …’” (Judg. 6:39). And the Lord once again had patience with Gideon and showed him that it was indeed the Lord speaking.

Again, I can see myself in Gideon. Even though I have seen the Lord work in my life time and time again, I still find myself questioning if it is truly the Lord working.

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Those were the words Jesus asks his disciples in Mark 4:40. Is He asking you the same questions today? If your faith in Jesus is real, believe that He has more planned for you and wants more from you, and then live it out.
If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.— Matt. 21:22

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ — Jer. 29:11