READING:
One-year plan: Judges 10-15
Two-year plan: Psalms 18, Romans 2:17-29
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Rebellion and repentance became the pattern of God’s people. Even the phrase found in Judges 10:6 makes that point clear: “Then the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” They abandoned the Lord again and brought His judgment on themselves. God had faithfully delivered them from multiple oppressors, but they kept returning to disobedience in their cycles of rebellion. At one point, in fact, God gave them this word: “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them deliver you whenever you are oppressed” (Judg 10:14). In what was surely sarcasm, God challenged them to see if their false gods could do what He had already done for them more than once.
I am reminded today of the foolishness of chasing our own false gods. They might bring temporary pleasure, but they cannot bring joy. They might seem fun, but they do not produce delight. They cannot offer freedom; they lead only to defeat and bondage. Nevertheless, we chase after them as if they had something significant to offer. When life smacks us around, though, we learn they have little to give us. They certainly cannot deliver us.
Only the true God can do that.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you following any false gods today?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, thank You for forgiveness when I turn to false gods.”
MONDAY’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Judges 16-21
Two-year plan: Psalms 19-21, Romans 3:1-20
MEMORIZATION VERSE (March 16-31):
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:17)
