In certain of life’s situations we may ask this question?  It is likely a good question to ask, even before we become desparate or disappointed?  During Gideon’s days Israel was under extreme oppression from rival nations.  An angel appeared to Gideon saying, ” ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand.   Am I not sending you?’ ‘Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel?  My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’  The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.’ ” (Judges 6: 12-16).  Then Gideon made an offering and it was miraculously recieved by fire and the angel disappeared.  God continued to tell Gideon what to do and he obeyed.  “Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him…Gideon said to God, ‘If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor.  If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.’  Then Gideon said to God, ‘Do not be angry with me.  Let me make just one more request.  Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.’  That night God did so.  Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.” (Judges 6: 34, 36-40).  God was very gracious to give Gideon assurances of His help, but Gideon had a measure of faith demonstrated by his obedience to do what God had instructed him to do.  When the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon he blew the trumpet calling Israelites to battle.  The Spirit was moving Gideon, still he asked for a final assurance which God granted. When the Israelis showed up with an army of thirty-two thousand men, “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men.  I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, My own strength has saved me.’ ” (Judges 7: 2).  God showed Gideon how to pare down the army to three hundred men and told him to attack at night fall.  As another encouragement he told Gideon to sneak into the enemy camp before the attack and listen to what the enemy is saying.  “Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream.  ‘I had a dream,’ he was saying.  ‘A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp.  It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.’  His friend responded, ‘This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite.  God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.’ ” (Judges 7: 13-14).  How could God be more encouraging? Is this a distant God who cares nothing about His people?

This incident may be more significant in history than our situations, but God cares about every detail of His children’s life. (Luke 12: 7).  If we move out in faith and obedience to His calling God will give us encouragement and He will accomplish his purposes through us.  Is your God gracious and loving?  Have you any hope or reliance in your own strength, ability, and ways?  Are you hearing what the Lord is saying and obeying as for your part?  Have you assumed that God’s call was both the beginning and end of His involvement, such that you’re on your own from here?  Have things stalled because you are trying to do what God alone can do?  Have you surrendered your will and destiny to God?  Are you confident in God’s limitless goodness, mercy, lovingkindness and Sovereignty?  Have you limited God in any way, as to whether He is willing or able to do what He has said, or whether the scripture actually applies to you today?

God is full of mercy and though He responds to faith, His compassion and mercy triumph over judgment. (James 2:13).  “A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!  My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.’  Jesus did not answer a word.  So his disciples came to him and urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’  He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’  The woman came and knelt before him.  ‘Lord, help me!’ she said.  He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.’  ‘Yes it is, Lord,’ she said.  ‘Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’  Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith!  Your request is granted.’  And her daughter was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 15: 22-28).  The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer and He communicates, encourages, and guides us as we submit to Him. In the same way the Lord greeted Gideon, He says to you and me, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6: 12).