READING: Judges 1-2, Luke 10:1-24
God had uniquely chosen His people, led them out of slavery in Egypt, taken them into the promised land, and loved them as a son—but still they disobeyed His very commands and turned to other gods. Those other gods were false gods, but the Hebrews nevertheless chose to abandon the true God to worship the “Baal and the Ashtoreths” (Judg 2:13). The Lord turned them over to their enemies, and they “suffered greatly” (Judg 2:15) under His judgment.
God in grace, however, raised up judges to lead them, and He “saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive” (Judg 2:18). He did that because He “was moved to pity whenever they groaned because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them” (Judg 2:18). In His righteousness, He held them to His standards; but, in His mercy, He heard their groanings and raised up deliverers.
Today, I think about how many times I’ve followed my own idols, only to pay the price of shame and anguish, and then to be reminded that God is my deliverer! His compassion moved Him to send His Son to die for me while I was yet a sinner (Rom 5:8), and His love keeps me in His hands. How can I not but praise Him?
PRAYER: “God, Your patience and Your compassion are amazing. Thank You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Judges 3-5, Luke 10:25-11:13