Derek

Gideon replies that they are in this trouble because , having performed wsuch wonders for their fathers, now the Lord had abandoned Israel and put them into the hand of Midian. It could be said that God was responsible in that we are all in God's hands and nothing can happen to us without God, but God was punishing Israel because "the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord". We may be chastised because we are God's children and no-one likes being punished. The danger is that we may blame God as an uncaring Father and not recognise the truth of Ro. 8:28. We can stop short of this in the future by simple obedience and trust.

Hi, I'm Derek and I live in a little town in England, Bexhill on Sea. I was a Baptist lay pastor of a village chapel for 17 years in Buckinghamshire. Now at 79 I and my wife, Edna, worship in a wonderfully friendly Anglican Church. As you may expect, I remember quite a lot about Gideon but can always learn more, not only about his achievements but also his weaknesses. I find that the great thing about Bible characters is that we get to know them, "warts and all" and it is just as important to know about failures as it is successes. In fact, I share more of their failures than their successes, I am afraid! I look forward to enjoying fellowship through this column.Incidentally I learned Romanian recently, as I am trustee of a small Romanian charity, so if there are any Romanians out there - Ce mai faci? Derek