March 31 - Judges 1:1-3:30

Good morning everyone,

My goodness, another new book. We are rockin’ this ‘Year Through the Bible’. I am most impressed and totally blessed by how many of you are going on this journey with me. Are you feeling God’s blessing on you? It is ever so subtle but it is amazing how my walk with the Lord is feeling more … I think, “colored in” kind of describes it, more full. Definitely more intimate. I love it! 

So, here we go, the Book of Judges, although the author is unknown is thought to be written, at least in part, by Samuel. Israel, having failed to obey God’s instructions to drive out all the inhabitants of the land will readily attach themselves to Canaan’s people, social life, morals (or lack of) and over and over again fall victims of the false gods. It is in these times of crisis that they will cry out for help and God will send in a judge to save them out of the hands of the raiders. 

The judges in this book are not the kind that would first pop into your mind when you see the word “judge”. They did not sit behind a big desk in a black robe and preside over a trial. No, they are more like a collection of hand picked super heroes. Twelve men and one woman will over the course of 400 years ride in and save the day when the Israelites, time after time become enslaved to the sinful ways of the land. 

Judges chapter one basically is a recap of where the book of Joshua left off. In chapter two we see another Christophany. The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and essentially called them out, wanting to know why they had disobeyed Him. He also told them He would not drive the people out of the land for them and these people would be thorns in Israel’s side. They were told straight up the gods would ensnare them and so Israel then offered sacrifices and wept. Though their sorrow would not last for long as we see in chapter three Israel has forgotten about God and were serving Baal and the Asherah poles.

Ahh, but God wants nothing more than for us to love Him and serve Him. Over the years I have gone to many Harvest Crusades put on by Harvest Ministries and Pastor Greg Laurie. The crusades are free and held in huge venues such as Angel Stadium in Anaheim with the sole intention of spreading God’s Word and winning hearts to the kingdom of heaven. I have seen literally thousands and thousands of people over the years walk down on the field from several stories up, with tears in their eyes acknowledging their need for God pledging their allegiance to Him. Every single one of them absolutely wanting to change their lives for Christ, believing they will, knowing they have God there to guide them and help them but … but … but, then many of them put themselves right back in the same ole routine of their old world. Worshiping the same gods as they did before they went to the crusade, the god of money, or exercise or sport or sleep or  _____, fill in the blank, not wanting to drive out the gods of the old land themselves, expecting God to do it all. Friends, we have got to put forth an effort if we want to be close to God. If we want to experience the fullness of the joyful life He has for us we have got to toss the old ways aside and make room for Jesus. It is not enough to go to church once a week only to watch hours and hours television filled with promiscuity, back biting, vulgar language and so many other worldly influences which will cause God to ask, “Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this?”  I would encourage you to take a look at your life and the gods you may be enslaved to, then toss them aside and choose Christ, so that you may live. The rewards are well worth the effort.

I pray you have a great day to God be the glory.

God bless you all …