Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the LORD. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.” But the LORD said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” Judges 6:22-23
My wife was out of town for a couple of days this week, so, home alone, I took the opportunity to crank the stereo at 4AM. As amusing as that was, I’ve must admit that I’d much prefer to have my wife home. Still, this got me to thinking about how I once behaved when my wife was gone for a few days. There was a time when her absence was my opportunity to consume as much alcohol and tobacco as I wanted. In her presence, I lived one way, but when she was gone, I lived in a completely different manner. I was a hypocrite, claiming to be one thing, but as soon as her back was turned, I did whatever I wanted. I was a lousy husband.
Recovery then, has meant trying to be the husband she needs me to be, even when she’s not watching. I’m not naturally good at it, but I’m learning to ask not “What do I want?”, but rather, “How would this affect my wife?”. My wife wouldn’t care that I cranked the stereo while she’s gone, but it would upset her if I relapsed.
I think a lot of us approach God as I once did my marriage. If God suddenly appeared visibly with us, how would we conduct ourselves? We’d likely clean up our language and pick up our Bibles. If God walked with us all day every day, we’d probably think, talk, and act very differently.
Gideon found himself in this situation in today’s passage. With Israel suffering under the oppression of Midian, God sent an angel to inform Gideon that he was to deliver his people. This angel must have appeared as an ordinary man, because Gideon was doubtful, not really believing the angel until he provided a miraculous sign. Then, shocked into believing, Gideon was suddenly fearful. Oh-no. I’ve been talking to God this whole time. . . Aware that he was in God’s presence, he changed his tone. Of course I will obey.
Gideon’s change in posture reveals that he didn’t initially believe the angel was from God. Once he believed, his behavior changed. So, I’ll return to my question – How would we conduct ourselves if God showed up visibly? As Christians we claim that God is always with us. Do we really believe that though? If we live as I once did when my wife was gone, we betray our lack of faith. Do we truly believe that God is constantly present with us? If so, that belief should profoundly affect the way we think, speak, and act.