Gideon asked God for clear signs before major decisions. Learn the difference between faithful seeking of confirmation and testing God with doubt.
Gideon had already received a direct call from God through an angel, complete with miraculous signs. Fire had consumed his offering, and he had successfully torn down the altar of Baal. Yet when it came time to lead Israel against the Midianites, Gideon sought additional confirmation through what we now call "putting out a fleece."
"If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised," Gideon said, "look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand." God graciously provided the sign—dew on the fleece, dry ground around it.
But Gideon wasn't finished. Recognizing the boldness of his request, he asked for the opposite sign: "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew." Again, God graciously provided exactly what Gideon asked for.
What's remarkable isn't that God answered Gideon's requests, but His patience with Gideon's need for confirmation. God understood that Gideon was seeking assurance, not testing Him with unbelief. There's a difference between faithfully seeking God's will and demanding proof because we doubt His character.
When do you seek God's confirmation in your decisions?
How can you tell the difference between seeking guidance and testing God?
What signs has God given you to confirm His direction?
How do you move forward when you have God's confirmation?
"Faithful Lord, like Gideon, I sometimes need confirmation of Your will. Help me to seek Your guidance with faith, not doubt. Give me clear direction in the decisions I face, and help me to move forward with confidence when You provide confirmation. Thank You for Your patience with my need for assurance. In Jesus' name, Amen."