“…Gideon replied, ‘but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about…The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand…I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites….Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.’”

JUDGES 6:1-23

Jehovah Shalom occurs once in scripture. And it comes in the midst of great fear, oppression, and need. It comes in the seventh year of the Israelites being dominated by the Midianites…like bloody scenes snatched from the pages of a Vikings novel. It comes in the midst of it; not when it’s over.

When God’s angel appears to Gideon – an ordinary man, angry about his current reality – Gideon doesn’t throw his hands up and walk away. No, instead he pursues truth with an honest and passionate heart. “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened?” Isn’t it the same question we ask when our country is in chaos, our health fails, and our hearts ache? 

God, where are you?

The Lord isn’t surprised or offended by Gideon’s response. He doesn’t blast him for lacking faith. He simply says, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior…Go in the strength that you have.”

And Gideon laughs. Well, not actually but his response is pretty funny. “Pardon me…how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest…and I am the least in my family?” In other words: Seriously, anyone else is better for the job, Lord. Anyone else.

But God continues to reassure him. He promises to be with him and confirms that the time is right. Gideon, still unsure, tests the message to be sure he is hearing from God himself…and not being deceived. When confirmation comes, Gideon finds the passion to carry out his calling. And the peace to fight. 

“Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace.” (Judges 6:24)

What problems make you angry? Do you ever feel like your world is falling apart…like God has forgotten you? Do you feel inadequate? Cry out to Jehovah Shalom – our Lord of Peace. In his presence, there is no strife. There is no fear. Only the promise of comfort and strength and victory.  

Being a Christian doesn’t save us from war. It arms us with everything we need to fight valiantly. To endure loss. And to persevere with peace in our hearts.  

Our message from Jesus is this: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Making it Personal

  • Have I ever felt like Gideon when he cried out, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” What circumstances have caused me to feel that way?
  • Gideon didn’t hold his frustrations back from God. What fears, frustrations, and questions do I need to share with God today? 
  • After listening to God’s assurance, Gideon was finally able to embrace him as the Lord of Peace.  What assurance from God’s Word do I need to focus on this week?
Tags: , ,