Bless Gideon. Over and over, he must have worn the Lord out, because he keeps testing the Lord. He asks the Lord to do this, then to do that. He says to the Lord, If you are really going to do this, then do this. Then he says, Well, do that. Over and over, he tests God. Now, I’m not saying that you or I should do this. But the Lord’s patience is something, because the Lord knows that Gideon’s story was not over. Today, the Lord knows we are human. And He is patient with us, even when we don’t deserve it.

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Good morning. It’s good to be with you on this Wednesday morning as we continue our time together in Judges chapter 6. Today, we’re going to look at another famous part of Gideon’s story—one you probably already know: the fleece.

Let’s read Judges 6:36–40:

Then Gideon said to God, “In order to see whether you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said, I am going to lay a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said.” And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.

Then Gideon said to God, “Do not let your anger burn against me. Let me speak one more time. Let me please make trial with the fleece once more. Let it be dry only on the fleece, and on all the ground let there be dew.” And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

We often talk about “doubting Thomas,” but honestly—who tests the Lord more than Gideon? He keeps putting God to the test, over and over. Earlier in chapter 6, we saw Gideon ask for a sign when he first met the angel of the Lord. Then he followed through and tore down the altar to Baal. Now, here he is again—asking for confirmation. Not just once, but twice.

First, he asks for dew on the fleece while the ground stays dry. God does it. He even wrings out a bowl full of water from the fleece. But that’s not enough. He goes back again and says, “Okay, let’s do it the other way this time.” And God does it again.

I was telling the staff yesterday in our Bible study, I was praying recently and thought, “Lord, you must get so frustrated with me sometimes.” I feel like sometimes I get it right—but if I’m honest, a lot of the time I feel like I’m getting it wrong. Falling short. And I wonder how patient God must be with me.

But then I’m reminded—in Ephesians 2, it says we are saved by grace through faith, and not by works. We can’t earn it. The Bible is filled with people who, like Gideon, are unsure, afraid, or just plain stubborn—and yet God still uses them.

What amazes me when I read Judges—and honestly, when I read much of Scripture—is how patient God is. The Psalmist says the Lord is long-suffering. He remembers His promises. He keeps His covenant. And that’s such a gift to us.

Because if God weren’t patient…if God punished us for every little thing we got wrong…if He gave up on us every time we failed—we’d all be lost.

But Scripture says, “Morning by morning, new mercies I see.”
Every day is a new chance to begin again. I’ve shared with you before—above my prayer spot in the morning, I have a little sign that says, “Begin again.”
That’s what we get to do every day: begin again.

God shows patience to us daily, not because we deserve it, but because He loves us, and He sees what we can become. We are, as the Rich Mullins song says, “frail—fearfully and wonderfully made.” God’s patience with us is often far greater than our patience with ourselves.

God sees the big picture. He sees how our story is still unfolding. We haven’t taken our last breath, we haven’t crossed the finish line, we’re not done yet. There’s still work to do, still growing to be done, still grace to receive. And because of that, God is patient.

So today, be mindful of that. Let’s not test the Lord—Jesus Himself said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” But at the same time, recognize that God knows our weaknesses. He sees our hearts. He knows our fears and our doubts. And He is patient.

Think about your kids or grandkids. It can be frustrating when they keep making the same mistakes, but what brings us joy? When we see them grow. When we see them mature. When we see them learn. That’s when our patience as parents or grandparents is rewarded.

If we, as flawed human beings, can extend that kind of patience to the people we love—how much more does our heavenly Father show patience to us?

God was patient with Gideon—even when Gideon had no real reason to keep doubting. And He’ll be patient with you. Don’t take that patience for granted. Use it. Let it move you to be faithful. Let it encourage you to begin again.

Your story isn’t over yet. God’s not done with you. And He hasn’t given up on you—not today, and not ever.

Thanks for being with us. Tomorrow we’ll keep going with Gideon’s story—another powerful and encouraging passage. I look forward to being with you then.

Have a great day. See you in the morning.