READING: Judges 8-10
Gideon had been God’s man to deliver the people from the Midianites, but now he was trouble. He had said previously that only the Lord—not he—would rule over the people. But, now he had taken war spoils that suggested royalty and made an ephod (a ceremonial garment for the priest) that would become an idol for the Hebrews. His good work was tarnished in the end.
Then, after Gideon died, the people’s cycle of apostasy continued as they turned back to the worship of Baal and forgot the God who had given them the land. How alarming it is that a called man of God can turn in the wrong direction and the people of God can forget the Lord’s care!
Our faith must be a moment-by-moment focus on God, with our eyes ever focused on Him and our hearts ever leaning on Him. Even we can wander if we do not stay alert.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are your eyes and heart distracted from the Lord?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, forgive me when today’s compromise replaces yesterday’s victory.”
MONDAY’S READING: Judges 11-14