I have two daughters. Even though they are born from the same mother and father, and grew up in the same household, they are very different. The older one is more sensitive and artsy. The second more rational and studious. And thus, as parents, we approach them differently. One approach may work for one but not for the other. We have to consider their personalities, their fears, their tendencies, as we figure out the best way to help them succeed in life.

When I read the Bible, that is the same thing that God does with us. Our God is not an one-size-fits-all type, but rather custom-made. When He deals with us, He approaches us knowing our fears and weaknesses, and He accommodates! He doesn’t treat everyone the same but according to their individual tendencies.

For example, when He approaches Gideon in the Old Testament, He doesn’t simply give him a command and expect him to obey. Rather, God allows Gideon to get confidence in God first before He gives him a scary assignment. God knew Gideon’s timid nature and therefore, He gives him lots of proofs that will enable him to put his trust in Him. For example, when Gideon asks for a sign by using a fleece, God obliges. And then when he asks for another sign in a slightly different way to make sure that it really is God, God obliges again. After that, God, even without being asked, gives Gideon another sign to assure him by letting him overhear his enemy talk about him. (Judges 7:9-14)

Perhaps you are hesitant in going fully after God? Perhaps you sense God’s calling on your life but are too scared? Perhaps God is asking you to give up something that you don’t think you can live without? He is gentle and accommodating. Ask Him to fortify your heart. It is not wrong to ask for assurance. But it is in the end wrong not to obey Him. If He has shown ample signs, even if some fear remains, you must do what He says. It will never be that all fear will disappear. But our fear and trust in God will overwhelm the fear of failing…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Prov. 3:5

PH