When God Waits for You
I think it is safe to say that, for many of us, Gideon is one of the most relatable heroes of faith in the Bible. Let’s face it, with the exception of the occasional narcissist, nearly all of us can admit to experiencing some feelings of inadequacy when God commissions us to a task.
In light of all the disappointment that Gideon, his family, and his nation had experienced, I understand his hesitancy and the authenticity of his reaction. Unlike Mary, his response to God’s call was not an instant “be it unto me according to your Word” (Luke 1:38). No; Gideon had questions and his “yes” would prove to be a process. As the details of Gideon’s encounter with Yahweh unfold, I can identify with his cautionary approach to the divine visitor and message.
The chapters, in Judges, on Gideon and his victories offer us a wealth of wisdom on how the Lord’s presence truly changes our lives. However, one detail of Gideon’s journey, in particular, unveils a beautiful part of God’s nature that I hope will impact you as much as it did me: discovering the patient love of a God who sees beyond our reluctance and who relishes in the communion our process requires.
Most of us already know the story of Gideon’s call: to reverse the long season of oppression and pillaging that the Israelites had endured under the Midianites. The story begins in Judges 6, where we find Gideon fearfully threshing wheat in a winepress. Nearby is an oak tree that belonged to his father, Joash, where an “Angel of the Lord” (Judges 6:11) has been sitting and observing Gideon. I want to emphasize that this Angel (capital “A” in scripture) was, in fact, the VISIBLE Lord God of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ of the New Testament, a distinct person in Himself from God the Father. This is Who was conversing face-to-face with Gideon!
We, too, receive our callings “face-to-face” in the presence of the Lord. We may not always see Him as visibly as Gideon, but the promptings and impressions in our own spirits are just as real! Brian Simmons notes that this Angel had apparently been invisible to Gideon and may have been sitting there for quite some time before revealing Himself.
You may not have an oak tree at your house, but, rest assured, you are not alone. The Father sees you and will make His will known to you, at just the right time.
In the ensuing banter, Gideon meets each directive of Yahweh with a litany of reasons why he simply could not be the “man for the job”. More importantly, Gideon was not quite sure who this “guest” really was. In other words, he wondered was this really God talking to him?
Have YOU ever wondered if it really is God speaking to you?
By verse 18, Gideon considers that, perhaps, this was the Lord, so he needed to take a more serious approach and, for sure, dare not move forward without the assurance of favor… because, frankly, he was scared out of his wits!
“Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 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 6:17-18)
And, that was exactly what the Lord did for Gideon: He waited for him. Instead of criticizing Gideon for his ambivalence or his questions, He willingly agreed to wait for Gideon — to stay and remain until Gideon’s heart was at rest. Peace would be Gideon’s compass.
The Lord knows the insecurities you battle and the unique obstacles you will face as you follow Him, but He is willing to do whatever it takes to bring you into alignment with His thoughts and purposes for your life. He will wait until your heart rests in His love and wisdom.
While God waits, “Chef Gideon” goes to work on the offering, and it is no little snack he prepares! It would take quite a bit of time to cook the goat and the amount of cakes he prepared, which required over one bushel of flour! Then, he had to make the broth! It was a sacrificial meal, of generosity and honor, that tradition required he prepare for a special guest. The thought of God waiting under that oak tree, for hours, while Gideon prepared this meal reveals a lot about who the Lord really wants to be for us: He waits for us to return.
When Gideon finally brought out the meat, the bread, and the pot of broth, we pick up in verse 20:
“The Angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. Then the Angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the Angel of the Lord disappeared. When Gideon realized that it was the Angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face!” (Judges 6:20)
In his commentary, Matthew Henry writes, "The Angel turned the meat into an offering made by fire; showing that he was not a man who needed meat, but the Son of God”.
This is the beauty found in the convergence of you waiting on God and God waiting on you. The seeking, and the waiting, brings you face-to-face with the only One who can give you peace about your future. He alone can bring it. Gideon finally understands who God is as well as who he was becoming: a mighty deliverer himself!
When we are discerning the call of God in our lives - whether for ministry, marriage, or career - it is okay, as evidenced by Gideon, to wait until that peace comes. Gideon’s waiting was not an excuse to indulge in procrastination or disobedience, for eventually a “yes” was required, as is the case for us.
His presence meets our “yes” with peace.
“But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid”…. So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it: "The Lord Is Peace.” (Judges 6:23-24)
When my perceived inadequacies challenge His call to a seemingly impossible task, the revelation of His merciful, compassionate, patient love is an invaluable comfort. My ultimate “yes” to the process triggers His supernatural empowerment, so I can experience the fulfillment of my destiny. I just need to wait for peace.