‭Job 1:20-22
[20] Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.
[21] And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
[22] In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Difficult times

There was a time when a man named Gideon saw his nation, ancient Israel, in great distress. The Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” (Judges 6:12)

But Gideon replied, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?… Where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about?” (Judges 6:13). He was honest about his doubt and wanted to know why God seemed to have abandoned His people.

Notice that God didn’t answer Gideon’s “why” question. After Gideon had endured seven years of suffering, God didn’t explain His past silence. Instead of focusing on the reasons for the past, He gave Gideon a mission and hope for the future, saying:

· “Go with the strength you have… I will be with you.” (Judges 6:14)
· “You will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” (Judges 6:16)

Do you ever wonder why God has allowed suffering in your life or in our nation? Like Gideon, you may not get a direct answer. But God may comfort you with His presence today and remind you that you can rely on His strength when you feel weak.

When Gideon finally believed that God was with him, he built an altar and named it “The Lord Is Peace” (Judges 6:24). His fear was replaced with a deep, personal peace that came from trusting in God's promise.