SCRIPTURE: Judges 3
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them. [Judges 3:9] When the people move away from God, they experience the misery of His absence; when they move towards God, they experience the blessing of His presence. This chapter (and subsequent chapters) repeat the refrain: God helps those who humbly seek Him, but abandons those who abandon Him. The good news is that God is willing and ready to help those who humbly seek Him. He will send help!
But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. [Luke 18:13-14] Jesus tells this story to make this very point. God is not stubborn or unwilling to help. He does not delight in seeing us suffer. But neither can He truly help us unless we admit our need for help, and humbly acknowledge our dependence on Him. Like the alcoholic who denies they have a problem, it usually takes a crisis or an intervention to open their eyes, and get them desperate enough to admit their need for help.
Do I really recognize how much I need God’s mercy and help? Do I really sense the seriousness of sin, and my inability to fix or help myself? Do I truly realize how wrong and dangerous my attitude toward God is, and that resisting or rejecting Him will eventually destroy me? God graciously allows me to suffer in this life, so that by crisis or intervention, I come to my senses and seek His help.
The good news is that God does come to help, when we ask Him. He provides a deliverer. Jesus is the ultimate deliverer. He is the One who removes the problem of sin, restores us to fellowship with God, and empowers us to partner with Him in restoring God’s world.
But I will not experience this forgiveness and freedom, unless I am first humbled. I need to repent, to admit my guilt and sin, to cry out for mercy and help. And He is ready and willing to help, to have mercy.
PRAYER:
Lord, You are patiently waiting for me to humbly acknowledge my desperate need for You, and ask for help. You are ready to help!
“The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God” is a refrain found in this chapter and throughout the book of Judges. The people did not walk with the Lord their God until . . . a redeemer came along. Without the Lord, the people were in agony and when they finally realized their state of affairs, they cried out to the Lord their God who they had lived without, and He heard them and freed them from their bondage by providing a judge, a righteous leader, a redeemer for them. Then the land had peace.
My motorhome is entitled Providence – the wisdom, the care, the presence, the guidance God provides in my life. All of my life I serve the living God and my refrain must be like Joshua’s – but as for me and my household, we will serve the living God. Thank You Lord that when I fail, You are there to pick me up again and again when I acknowledge my sinfulness and your everlasting faithfulness. Lead me and guide me my whole life through – Jesus – my Master, Redeemer, Provider, Surety, – my Friend!
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold:
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever, only, all for Thee.