Days of the Judges, Day 21 As we finish out the book of Judges, read Judges 21. We see the terrible ending to a horrific tragedy. The people of Israel find themselves in a difficult situation where the sins of one tribe is affecting the entire nation. Even through all of this, they found a way to have mercy. They found a way to offer grace and redemption. God continues to seek that out for us. He desires that we experience the redemption that he has for us. He makes a way to continue, even when there didn’t seem to be a way. Are we accepting God’s provisions for us…

Days of the Judges, Day 20 Judgment. Such a horrible thing happened in Judges 19 that we read yesterday, that today, in Judges 20, we see the response. All the people came together to stand against the atrocities that had occurred. God led them to enact judgment on the people of Benjamin. When God calls us to move against something, do we? Are we willing to stand up for what God showed us is right? The people here made the decision to follow through and stand.

Days of the Judges, Day 19 Evil. This story in Judges 19 sounds so much like the story of Lot in Genesis, but this time there is a much more tragic ending. The Levite actually wanted to stay in a town if Israelites, presumably because it would be safer. Apparently not. They had become so consumed with sin that their actions sound like the evils from Sodom. As believers, do we look different than the world? Do we act differently or are we seemingly the same? As followers of Christ, that should mean we are different. We don’t act like the world, talk like the world, think like the world.…

Days of the Judges, Day 18 Do you want to sin a little, or do you want to sin big? That essentially the question he is being asked here in Judges 18. The priest was already disobeying God in so many ways just by doing what he was doing from the last chaptet. But now, we see him being asked if he wants to do even more that is in disobedience to God. When we start down the path of disobedience and not following God, it quickly snowballs into so much more than what we originally expected. Now, we may think things are getting better. This priest probably looked at…

Days of the Judges, Day 17 “Oh Lord, bless me.” But, are we really doing something that the Lord will bless? Read Judges 17. They may talk about the Lord a lot in this chapter and use his name throughout, but there is not much actual obedience to God in this chapter. These people are doing whatever they want to do, in whatever way they want to do it, and they are hoping God will bless it. How often do we do the exact same thing? We are busy doing whatever we want, in whatever way we want, and then we pray to God and ask that God will bless…

Days of the Judges, Day 16 The nagging continues. Read Judges 16. As we continue through the story of Samson, we see his tragic ending. Unfortunately, because of his is lack of focus on God, he finds himself in a situation with a woman who does not really love him. She uses him and because of her constant nagging, he tells her the secret of his strength. We are constantly being tempted by Satan. And Satan knows exactly how to tempt us. If we do not maintain our focus on God and keep him first in every area, we will find ourselves in situations we shouldn’t be in with people…

Days of the Judges, Day 15 Credit. When we experience a victory, who gets the credit? Read Judges 15. As we see more of the story of Samson, he experiences some amazing victories. He is able to supernaturally defeat his enemies in a way that God’s glory and power is evident in his life. Then he sings a song of praise. However, that song is all about him. It talks about how great he is and his amazing victory. It doesn’t give credit or glory to God for how God worked and moved in his life and in that situation. Do we give God the praise and the glory for…

Days of the Judges, Day 14 As Samson grows, we see some of the characteristics that will ultimately define him. Read Judges 14. Samson wanted something, so how did he figure out how to do get his way? He whine and nagged for it. He kept hounding his parents and kept on and as a result, they gave in and gave him what he wanted. Fast forward a little bit and we have this verse where Samson’s wife wants something and she whines and nags until he tells her. How do we respond when we don’t get our way? Do we continue to whine and nag and complain and make…

Days of the Judges, Day 13 Get busy and do the work. We move to the story of Samson. Read Judges 13. This initial story of the announcement of the birth if Samson is always interesting to me. His Mom seems to accept the news of the coming of Samson without issue. She seems very practical about the whole situation. Samson’s father, on the other hand, is much more concerned and worried and seems to have a lot more questions about the whole situation. Even with the two very different personalities of his mother and father, God used them both. I love this because it reminds me that no matter…

Days of the Judges, Day 12 It’s interesting to see how many children they had during this time. Much of this chapter talks about the leaders and their multiple children. Read Judges 12. Still, as we read through this chapter, it’s amazing to think about how many of these children these men had an opportunity to influence and to teach about the Lord. Yet, it doesn’t indicate that they did that in scripture. So often, we see people in the next generation or two who fall away from the Lord and start to do evil things. How are we raising up the next generation? How are we teaching them the…