May 24-25, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Judges 6-12
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
As I read about Gideon and Abimelech, I am reminded that these are not stories about great moral leaders, but about how God uses weak, immoral leaders to accomplish His good purpose.
God doesn’t stop working for good when His people do; even though He lets them taste the consequence of immoral living, He also steps in to help them come to their senses, and turn back for help.
No matter how messed up, no matter how immoral, no matter how corrupt we become, God always leaves the door open for us, so that we can come back to Him.
Reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son; the father isn’t too blame for his son’s choices, but he is ready to welcome his son back when he changes his mind.
Unfortunately, in this collection of stories about Israel and the judges, the people keep forgetting and ignoring God and His love… then blame Him for their troubles.
You say the Lord is with us. Then why has all of this happened to us? (Judges 6:13); uhhh, because you turned your back on God, you thought that life would be better without God, so God is letting you see what life without Him is like…
People today still love to blame the God they otherwise have no interest in; they want God to fix their problems, but not interfere with their lives.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, we can be so fickle. We make the choices that mess up the world, then blame You for the mess it’s in. Thank You for not giving up on us, even when we give up on You.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations:
The common refrain – the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord – everyone did what was right in his own eyes. And finally the people called out to the Lord who then brought forth a judge such as Gideon to deliver His people.
In over coming the enemy, the Lord God did mighty acts to show His majesty and power.
Gideon would not rule over them, but the Lord would rule over them.
Each time the people cried out to the Lord after going their own way and becoming oppressed. Each time the Lord sent a deliverer a judge. During the time of the judge the people did what was right in the eyes of God.
Application:
Where did I see God’s hand this day? He continues to uphold His creation His wonders to perform. Do I have the eyes that see His presence and His power each and every day? Who directs my ways? The Lord God needs to rule over me in all I do and say. One again we see that as the leaders go, so go the people. I need to pray that the Lord would continue to raise up Godly leaders to rule with justice and righteousness – doing His will.
Prayer:
I need to be in prayer for leaders – leaders of government, institutions, families so that they may lead people in the ways of the Lord and not just follow what is right in their own eyes. Our eyes must always be focussed on Jesus and we/I need to raise that banner high and follow Him. Lead me and guide me this day Lord.
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.