The God of the Gap

“Never doubt God’s might power to work in you and accomplish all this.  He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.” Ephesians 3:20 (The Passion Translation)

As the sun made its early morning debut, he gathered his army and went as far as the Spring of Harod. The air was thick with fear. Gideon gazed down on the Midianite army, swarming like locusts, in the valley below him. It was in this moment, like a gentle breeze, he heard God speak. “You have too many warriors.” Could Gideon have heard him right? Look at the number of the Midianite warriors compared to that of Israel. Yet Gideon obeyed the Lord’s leading. He whittled his army down not once but twice. As night descended upon the camp, God spoke to Gideon again, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them!” (Judges 7:9) So, Gideon and his small band of men crept down to the camp of the Midianites. There, after overhearing the dream of one of the Midianite warriors, Gideon bowed in worship for it was confirmed that God had given the Israelites the victory. The small band of Israelite warriors raised a clay jar and ram’s horn and stood their ground. There they saw the victory of the Lord.

I love the story of Gideon because it is one of hope. Gideon found himself in circumstances that were far beyond his capability. He was in a situation where there was a gap between his resources and the situation he faced. Yet, in this place of inadequacy, Gideon found that God was the God of the gap. God was there and he was prepared to do exceedingly more than Gideon could hope or imagine. The battle Gideon was facing would not be won by Gideon's efforts. Instead, it would be won by Gideon bowing in worship, and standing on his faith. So often, instead of trying to fight our own battles, we only need to lift our hands and worship God, who is sovereign over all. In doing so, we are declaring our dependence on Him and not our resources or abilities. We also must stand on the truth of who He is. He is love. Every situation that God allows to enter my life is rooted in His love and goodness. No, the circumstances may not feel good but if I am surrendered to Him, then He will use my trials to make me more like him. And that is why as a believer, I can have hope. My hope is fixed on Christ and His infinite love for me. 

You can also have hope; because long ago, on that first Christmas, Jesus was born to bridge the ultimate gap that existed between God and man. By your own efforts, you could never earn your salvation, so God sent Jesus to bridge the gap. He is your hope. And when you are faced with difficulties, you can put your hope in Him. One day Jesus will return, and make all things new. He will wipe every tear, and bring His people into His presence.

In closing, I ask that you please pray for my Dad, who has just been diagnosed with cancer. My family is choosing to trust that God has a plan in this trial. We are praying that God will be glorified in the days ahead. We are leaning into the promises of 2 Timothy 1:12, "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."