"Where are all His [God's] wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us?"
Gideon (Judges 6:13b)
Background
The Angel of The LORD (I believe this is Jesus), appeared to Gideon in chapter 6 of the book of Judges, and Gideon basically cries out; 'Where have you been, why has all this happened to us & where are the miracles & wonderful works that i've heard about?'
The first question is answered previously in Judges when 6:7-10 basically tells us that sin, particularly that of idolatry & seeking after false Gods was the reason God had led them into the suffering.
But his second question is the one that resonated deep inside my own heart. "Where are all God's wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us?"
Gideon had heard of how God had led Israel from Egypt; the plagues, Red Sea, amazing victories by the miraculous hand of God. But this young guy hadn't seen any of it; his lifetime so far had seen what seemed to be a real dirth of movement from God. Israel it seemed had been forsaken by God.
Yes it was a time when the people had forsaken God, but not all had done this & certainly a knowledge remained about the True & Living God & we see that there was even a prophet sent, in 6:8 to Israel who were beginning to cry out to God.
Our Own Day
It's so easy to think the same way as Gideon, surrounded & ruled by a secular & somewhat anti-christian government. Reading of past exploits of God, even in my own country of N.Ireland, which experienced revival in 1859.
We read biographies & of how Christ worked through men like Spurgeon, Edwards, Brainerd, Moody and many, many others. We look at ourselves & we seem stagnant in our walk.
We read of the reformation, revival, the great awakening & many other such moves of God's Spirit; & although there are many faithful pastors & Christians it seems that the amazing, outstanding works of God have dried up.
Longing
When i read Gideon's question it resonated deep within me & put words to something i've been feeling.
"Where are all God's wonderful deeds that i've read & heard about?"
And gives voice to a longing for personal & Church wide revival.
Gideon (Judges 6:13b)
Background
The Angel of The LORD (I believe this is Jesus), appeared to Gideon in chapter 6 of the book of Judges, and Gideon basically cries out; 'Where have you been, why has all this happened to us & where are the miracles & wonderful works that i've heard about?'
The first question is answered previously in Judges when 6:7-10 basically tells us that sin, particularly that of idolatry & seeking after false Gods was the reason God had led them into the suffering.
But his second question is the one that resonated deep inside my own heart. "Where are all God's wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us?"
Gideon had heard of how God had led Israel from Egypt; the plagues, Red Sea, amazing victories by the miraculous hand of God. But this young guy hadn't seen any of it; his lifetime so far had seen what seemed to be a real dirth of movement from God. Israel it seemed had been forsaken by God.
Yes it was a time when the people had forsaken God, but not all had done this & certainly a knowledge remained about the True & Living God & we see that there was even a prophet sent, in 6:8 to Israel who were beginning to cry out to God.
Our Own Day
It's so easy to think the same way as Gideon, surrounded & ruled by a secular & somewhat anti-christian government. Reading of past exploits of God, even in my own country of N.Ireland, which experienced revival in 1859.
We read biographies & of how Christ worked through men like Spurgeon, Edwards, Brainerd, Moody and many, many others. We look at ourselves & we seem stagnant in our walk.
We read of the reformation, revival, the great awakening & many other such moves of God's Spirit; & although there are many faithful pastors & Christians it seems that the amazing, outstanding works of God have dried up.
Longing
When i read Gideon's question it resonated deep within me & put words to something i've been feeling.
"Where are all God's wonderful deeds that i've read & heard about?"
And gives voice to a longing for personal & Church wide revival.
