Have you ever found yourself asking God questions you were almost afraid to say out loud? Maybe you've looked at a difficult season in your life and wondered, "God, if You're really with me, why am I going through this?" Or perhaps you've heard stories about God's faithfulness, provision, and power, yet found yourself asking, "Where is that God now?"

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If so, you're in good company.

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In Judges 6, Israel was living under the oppression of the Midianites. Their crops were stolen, their lives were disrupted, and their future felt uncertain. Into that difficult reality, God sent an angel to Gideon with what seems like a surprising greeting: "Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!" (Judges 6:12). Gideon's response is immediate and honest: "If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about?"

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Those are not the questions of a rebel. They are the questions of someone trying to reconcile what he has been taught about God with what he is experiencing in life. That tension is something many of us know well.

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‍"If God is with us, why has all this happened?"

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At some point, almost every believer wrestles with this question. We read about God's goodness, yet we experience pain. We hear about His faithfulness yet face disappointment. We pray, but circumstances don't immediately change. The important thing to notice is that God does not rebuke Gideon for asking the question. Instead, God engages him. Throughout Scripture, we find men and women bringing their questions to God. David asks why God seems distant. Habakkuk asks why evil appears to prosper. Job wrestles with suffering. Even Jesus cried out on the cross, expressing the weight of His suffering. The Bible never presents faith as the absence of questions. Rather, faith is often choosing to bring those questions to God instead of away from Him. One of the great dangers during difficult seasons is allowing our confusion to turn into distance. We stop praying. We stop seeking. We quietly disengage. Yet Gideon's example reminds us that honest questions can actually become the starting point for deeper faith. God is not intimidated by our doubts, fears, or confusion. He invites us to wrestle honestly with Him.

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‍"Where are all the miracles?"

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Gideon's second question may feel even more familiar. He had heard stories of God's power. He knew about the Exodus. He knew about God's faithfulness to previous generations, but he looked around at his current circumstances and struggled to see evidence of God at work. Isn't that often our experience? We hear stories of lives transformed, prayers answered, and God's provision. We read about miracles in Scripture. Yet there are seasons when God seems quiet, and we find ourselves wondering where His power has gone. What's fascinating is that while Gideon was asking where God's miracle was, he was actually standing in the middle of one. God's answer to Israel's situation was not merely a dramatic display of power. God's answer was calling Gideon himself. Before God changes Gideon's circumstances, He changes Gideon's perspective. Sometimes we ask, "Where is God working?" while God is asking, "Will you join Me in what I'm doing?" The miracle Gideon was looking for had already begun, but it didn't look like he expected. ‍

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Restoration Begins with Honest Questions

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One of the goals of this new devotional series following the challenging messages of “the Drift” is to remind us that asking questions isn't a sign of weak faith. Often, it is evidence that faith is alive and growing. The key is not whether we ask questions. The key is where we take them. Gideon brought his questions directly to God. In doing so, he discovered that God's presence had never left, even when circumstances suggested otherwise. For believers, this passage invites us to be honest about our struggles while remaining open to God's answers. Sometimes God's response may not immediately explain our circumstances, but it often reveals His presence in the middle of them. For those exploring faith, Gideon's story offers encouragement as well. Christianity does not require pretending to have all the answers. God welcomes sincere seekers. He invites honest wrestling, genuine curiosity, and authentic conversation. ‍

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A Restoring Truth for Today

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Questions do not push God away. Honest questions often become the pathway to deeper trust. When life doesn't make sense, when God's presence feels distant, and when you're wondering where the miracles are, remember this: God's faithfulness is not measured by your ability to see what He's doing. Sometimes He is already at work long before you recognize it.

Father, thank You that You are not threatened by our questions. Thank You for welcoming honest hearts that want to know You more deeply. When circumstances cause us to wonder if You are present, remind us that You have not left us. When we struggle to see Your hand at work, help us trust Your character. Give us the courage to bring our questions to You rather than drifting away from You. For those who are searching for truth, reveal Yourself in ways that draw them closer. Teach us to wrestle well, trust deeply, and discover Your faithfulness even in uncertain seasons. Amen.