READING: Judges 9:22-11:28
The pattern of the Israelites was quite regular: they followed God, then sinned against Him recurrently, brought on themselves His judgment (sometimes for years), and then turned back to God in a cry for help. Though God allowed them to suffer the consequences of their sin, He also delivered His people for His glory. His loving mercy and His covenant promises trumped their rebellion.
In today’s reading, the people again admitted they had sinned against God after suffering at the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites. In this case, though, God did not at first deliver them (in fact, scholars debate whether the people were truly repentant in the first place). What catches my attention today, though, are these words from God to His people: “But you have abandoned me and worshiped other gods. . . . Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them deliver you whenever you are oppressed” (Judg 10:13-14). With what was surely righteous sarcasm, God who had always been faithful to His people challenged them to lean on their false gods if they wanted deliverance; they had chosen their own gods, so now they would have to rely on them.
God, of course, knew the false gods could offer no such deliverance. No false god can do what the only true God can do. As I think about our own idols today—anything we put above God in our lives, any of our temporary pleasures we place over the eternal God—I am reminded of this truth: no false god I turn to can ever deliver me from my sin and myself. Only the true God does that.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: On whom or what do you rely today?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “God, I praise You for Your mercy and forgiveness. Help me not to take Your heart for granted.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Judges 11:29-15:20