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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Your anger over Israel’s apostasy shows the great love you have for your people, and your jealousy reveals how deeply you care. You are a loving God, and a loving God is a jealous and intolerant God. You will brook no rivals in my affection for you. If I forsake you, you are faithful in your anger toward me! I praise you for this, and I bow in worship before your throne! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the cycle of the judges. Joshua’s generation died, and their children “did not know the Lord.” (Jdg 2:10). The problem wasn’t ignorance, for the next generation certainly knew about you and your works. The real issue was that they refused to honor and obey you (like Eli’s sons in 1 Sam 2:12). This led to a cycle of rebellion, retribution, repentance, and restoration that Israel experienced over and over. Each generation failed to convince the next to love and serve you, yet this task was at the very center of your law (Deut 6:4–9). This teaches me how crucial it is to disciple my family. You have made it clear that it’s my job to train my children (not the church’s or the government’s). They learn the most from my example, and the home is the most effective place to pass on the faith to the next generation. Knowing that the people would disregard your covenant, you allowed some of the Canaanites to remain in Israel’s territory. You did this for several reasons: (1) To punish them for their apostasy (Jdg 2:3); (2) To test their loyalty and love for you (Jdg 3:4); and (3) To teach the next generation to depend on you to fight their battles (Jdg 3:2). This teaches me that I can’t live off a previous generation’s faith. I must demonstrate my own personal loyalty and commitment to you. Reflection Why did Israel turn away from you so quickly? Simply put, worshiping Baal allowed them to remain self-centered and sinful. They could do almost anything they wanted and still be ‘obeying’ at least one of the many Canaanite gods. It’s no different today, for the world is filled with doctrines and teachings that tell me I can sin and still be right with you. Request Father, I want to remain loyal and consecrated to you. Help me to say ‘No!’ to the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Thanksgiving How amazing to think that you love me so much that you are jealous and angry when I turn away from you. Thank you so much for your great love! (Eph 2:4). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “All for Jesus” by Mary D. James. Meditation Verse: Judges 2:10. |