Dubious and Convinced

Judges 6; Psalms 95 & 96; Proverbs 14:5-6

 

Sometimes God doesn’t make Himself obvious. Which really stinks, at least for those of us trying to believe in Him. Sometimes God works in the background, and sometimes He even lets us ignore Him until the whole world spirals out of control. And when we ignore Him and the world spirals out of control, we forget to take the spirals as evidence that God is at work. After all, He promises not only to bless those who obey Him, but to curse those who disobey Him.

 

Regardless, when circumstances are painful and we’re discouraged, it’s easy to ask the same question Gideon asked when told that God was with him: But sir, if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders…? – Judges 6:13

 

Fortunately, we have a God who is able to restore our faith. He patiently restored Gideon’s. First, he accepted Gideon’s offering by consuming it with fire from a rock (Judges 6:21)! Later, he fulfilled two tests for Gideon. One night He filled a fleece with dew and left the ground around it dry, the next night He did just the opposite (Judges 6:36-40)! God has always been the God of wonders. But His people have not always trusted Him or obeyed Him.

 

Father, give us eyes to see You even in life’s confusion and struggle. Give us faithfulness to return to Your words day in and day out. Give us courage to obey them and trust You. And encourage our faith along the way. We don’t care about seeing You perform tricks, but we are weak. In Your mercy, confirm to us that You are alive and well, and that You are still at work in our lives.

 

Where Is Your Loyalty?

Judges 4-5; Psalm 94; Proverbs 14:3-4

 

In times of trouble you can really find out who your friends are… and aren’t. I don’t mean the kind of friends who are easy to talk to. I mean the kind of friends who will be there for you, no matter what—who will offer a hand, a couple bucks, a bed for the night—the kind of friends who will stand up for you.

 

In Judges 4:11 we are introduced to a family that seems to have divided loyalties: Now Heber the Kenite had left the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, and pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh. So far what we know is that this family is probably loyal to the Israelites. Why? Because they are the descendants of Moses’ brother-in-law.

 

But the Israelites were currently being oppressed by Jabin king of Hazor. And as Deborah and Barak led Israelites in fighting against this oppressive king’s commander Sisera and his armies, we read this in Judges 4:17: Sisera, however, fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there were friendly relations between Jabin king of Hazor and the clan of Heber the Kenite. So was this family loyal to Israel? Or to their oppressors? Would they stand up for either side?

 

Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, ended up being faithful to Israel. She allowed Sisera to enter her tent, and she acted as though she would protect him. But as he rested and slept in the tent, she killed him. It was not long before Israel had completely defeated Jabin, the Canaanite king who was oppressing them (Judges 4:23-24).

 

Father, every day my loyalties are tested—everyone’s loyalties are tested. Will we stand for You and Your kingdom, or will we stay on friendly terms with Your enemies? I choose You. My family will follow You. Strengthen all of us who say that Jesus is our King. Strengthen our hearts to be faithful to You. May our loyalties be undivided. And if there is any hint of division in the way we live, may we have the strength and wisdom to be loyal to You in the end. Thank You that Jael was loyal. May my family and I be no less faithful. And may all our friends and relatives give You their loyalty, too.

 

Have it Your Way!

Judges 1:1-2:9; Psalms 90 and 91; Proverbs 13:24-25

 

It’s been said that one of the worst things God could ever say to us is, “Have it your way!” Why? Because He is good and we are not. He is strong and we are weak. He is sinless and we are sinful. He is heavenly and we are hellish at heart.

 

Can you imagine being the Israelites and hearing God say something like this? Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you. – Judges 2:2b-3

 

The Israelites had not obeyed God and completely eradicated the people of Canaan. They had made covenants that allowed the Canaanites to live, albeit as slaves. So God was going to let the Israelites have it their way: the Canaanites would survive.

 

So what? So the Canaanites would lead the Israelites away from the one true God. “Their gods will be a snare to you.” With God is life. Apart from God only death and destruction remain. The Israelites had chosen death. And God would let them have it their way.

 

Father, be merciful to us. Be patient with us. Provide a way out of the ways we have chosen. Provide a path to life!... Thank You for providing a Way to life through Jesus Christ’s willing and loving death in our place, and then also through His resurrection to life. I am excited to join Him in that resurrection of new life! Please, Father, bring the whole world from their way of death to Your Way of Life!

 

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