March 31
Judges 1:1-3:30
The book of Judges is a series of cycles where Israel turns to God out of difficulty, is delivered, then turns from God and is oppressed again. This pattern is laid out in Judges 2:16-23. During Israel's faithlessness, God raises up judges who will function as leaders over the various tribes. They are a mix of righteous, evil, wise, and foolish men and women who, even in their shortcomings, are a gift from God. He provides for the people what they could not provide for themselves: deliverance. Yet despite God's gift, the people turn from God once their enemies are destroyed, and then walk in corruption and sin. The natural question is why would the people do this?
It is the same question we should ask ourselves. Every time we turn from God and toward sin we are following in the footsteps of rebellious Israel. We are choosing a path of bondage and humiliation rather than the freedom, victory, and joy that God wants for us. In the moment, we may not realize the path we are on, but we need to know that sin always, always, always leads to bondage and a failure to experience the abundant life. No matter how many cycles we have had, today is a fresh opportunity to commit to follow God and recognize our need for him.
Father God, help me to recognize the severity of my sin and turn to you. I thank you for being faithful to provide me a way out from sin. Amen.
How do you see the pattern of the Israelites in Judges (obedience and faithfulness and then disobedience and sin) play out in your life? How can faith and obedience be a greater commitment in your life?
The book of Judges is a series of cycles where Israel turns to God out of difficulty, is delivered, then turns from God and is oppressed again. This pattern is laid out in Judges 2:16-23. During Israel's faithlessness, God raises up judges who will function as leaders over the various tribes. They are a mix of righteous, evil, wise, and foolish men and women who, even in their shortcomings, are a gift from God. He provides for the people what they could not provide for themselves: deliverance. Yet despite God's gift, the people turn from God once their enemies are destroyed, and then walk in corruption and sin. The natural question is why would the people do this?
It is the same question we should ask ourselves. Every time we turn from God and toward sin we are following in the footsteps of rebellious Israel. We are choosing a path of bondage and humiliation rather than the freedom, victory, and joy that God wants for us. In the moment, we may not realize the path we are on, but we need to know that sin always, always, always leads to bondage and a failure to experience the abundant life. No matter how many cycles we have had, today is a fresh opportunity to commit to follow God and recognize our need for him.
Father God, help me to recognize the severity of my sin and turn to you. I thank you for being faithful to provide me a way out from sin. Amen.
How do you see the pattern of the Israelites in Judges (obedience and faithfulness and then disobedience and sin) play out in your life? How can faith and obedience be a greater commitment in your life?
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Every night as we walk out the door to walk the dog I grab my flashlight. It’s a rechargeable and with a fresh charge illuminates the dark. It does exactly what I expect it to do so well that I take its light for granted ,until the light begins to dim and I realize my flashlight needs recharging. It takes a reminder and then effort to recharge my flashlight but once I put in that effort it lights my way once again.
nI realize that I am like that flashlight and will always need to be recharged by Gods word.
n