Daily Devotional – Monday, June 15, 2026
Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?”
Judges 6:13 (NKJV)
The Midianites had oppressed Israel for years. They had stolen crops, instilled fear in families, and forced many Israelites to struggle for survival. Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress, hiding from the enemy, when the Angel of the Lord appeared and said, “The Lord is with you.” Those words must have sounded strange to a man whose daily reality was hardship. Gideon could not see how God’s presence could co-exist with Israel’s suffering.
When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Gideon’s question is not as unfamiliar as it may seem. Life can throw up unexpected challenges. A prayer goes unanswered. A burden lingers longer than we thought it would. A door closes when we were hoping it would open. During those times, questions can silently infiltrate our hearts. If God is with me, why is this happening? Why does everything feel so difficult? Why can’t I see what He is doing?
What is remarkable is that God did not reject Gideon for asking those questions. The Lord continued the conversation. Gideon saw only the trouble in front of him, but God was already working on a solution. In fact, He was speaking to the very man He would use to deliver Israel. Gideon felt left behind, but God was closer than he knew. He felt overlooked, but God didn’t miss a second of him.
Why Am I Going Through This?
When we are in the middle of our own struggles, we often overlook the truth and interpret God’s presence through the lens of our circumstances. When life is going well, His nearness seems obvious. When life is piling up, doubt can creep. Gideon’s story, however, reminds us that God is with us in difficult times. The Lord was present in the winepress long before Gideon recognised it.
You may be grappling with unanswered questions. Maybe there are situations in your life that simply do not make sense right now. Take heart from Gideon’s story. Your honest questions do not pose a threat to God, and His absence is not a result of your inability to perceive His work. The same God who met Gideon in his confusion is still meeting people there today. When His plans are not clear, you can trust His presence.
Prayer
Almighty God, there are times when I don’t understand what You are doing in my life. When my mind is filled with questions, circumstances shake my confidence. Help me remember that Your presence Is not dependent upon what I can see. Teach me how to trust You, especially when I cannot make sense of life.
