Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:4–5 NKJV
Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress … “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Judges 6:11–12 NKJV
Gideon was in a winepress, out of sight of the enemy, working to get the food God was giving when the Midianites, Israel’s enemies, were destroying the Israelites’ food. The Angel of the Lord encouraged Gideon, calling him a mighty man of valor.
Gideon did not view himself that way. Humble, he was concerned about why the Lord was not doing for His people what He had done for them earlier. The Lord encouraged him, saying. “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.” Gideon asked Him to wait till he would bring his offering. And the God of patience waited patiently some hours until Gideon had prepared a young goat and made unleavened bread out of a bushel of flour, bringing it and the broth out to Him.
Patiently, the Lord had him pour out the broth and place the meat and the unleavened bread on the rock. He touched these with His staff, and fire came out of the rock and consumed them. God had accepted his offering. The God of patience then continued to lead Gideon step by step to complete victory over the enemy and the enemy’s rulers.
The God of patience is our God too. He patiently leads us and bears with our weaknesses and our stumbling along. He wants to use us for His purposes and glory. He tells us, “You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand … take the prophets … as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure” (Jas. 5:8–11). Even when things are not the way we are used to, HE is still the same!