Today’s reading: Judges 6:1-10
After the defeat of the Canaanite army, there are forty years of rest for Israel. But with the passing of time and generations, we see these familiar words to start Judges 6: “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.” So even after the Israelites were freed from the oppression of King Jabin, they began putting God on the back burner again as time passed and eventually turned completely away from God. As a result, God “gave them into the hand of Midian” (vs. 1). What’s described is nothing short of awful–the Midianites, like locusts, would descend and devour the land, leaving nothing for the Israelites to eat and survive on. This situation drags on for seven years, and when the people cry out to God for help, God sends a prophet to remind them of His words prior to their turning away and to tell them that the situation they are in is because they have turned away from Him.
“And I said to you, ‘I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.” (vs. 10)
The fact of the matter is, we are all prone to wander. Although this passage may seem a bit harsh, it’s a good reminder for us that God needs to be front and center for us at all times–the good, the bad and everything in between.
In what type of circumstances are you most prone to take your eyes off of God and do what you want instead? What are some things that help you keep your focus on God and following after and serving Him (keeping Him on the front burner)? Tami
Source: Tami’s Blog
