Bible Reading--Judges 1-5
While the Israelites of Joshua's day determined to serve the Lord, their faithfulness did not last long. "After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel." (Judges 2:10) They failed to drive out all of the inhabitants of the land and were soon worshiping other gods. This of course brought the punishment of the Lord until they repented and got back on the right track. A judge would arise that followed the Lord and there would be blessing and peace, but when died they would again do evil in God's sight and incur His wrath. And so goes the cycle over and over.
I find it easy to be pretty harsh with the Israelites. What was their problem? Didn't they see that obedience brought God's blessing and disobedience His judgment? Were they really that dense? And yet when I look at my own life I unfortunately see similar cycles of obedience and disobedience. Thankfully God does not go through these cycles! With Him there "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) When I stray He is always there waiting with open arms for His wayward child to return.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
I find it easy to be pretty harsh with the Israelites. What was their problem? Didn't they see that obedience brought God's blessing and disobedience His judgment? Were they really that dense? And yet when I look at my own life I unfortunately see similar cycles of obedience and disobedience. Thankfully God does not go through these cycles! With Him there "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) When I stray He is always there waiting with open arms for His wayward child to return.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)