Prayer: Father, there is much to learn about myself from the stories of other people’s failures and successes. I am Your servant, and I am ready to learn today from Your Word. Amen.
Overview of the book of Judges: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/judges/?utm_source=web_social_share&medium=shared_video
Read: Judges 1 key: vs. 5-7 “They found Adoni-bezek in Bezek, engaged him in battle, and defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites. Though Adoni-bezek fled, they pursued him, caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his big toes. So, Adoni-bezek said, “70 kings, having their thumbs and big toes cut off, used to pick up scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has repaid me.” They brought him to Jerusalem and he died there.”
Attention: If we understand that God (Adonai) included the writings of Judges for the purpose of warning us not to be like the people recorded in the book of Judges, then we have a proper understanding of the gravity of not driving out the nations which did not serve God (Adonai) but served other gods. I have referred to 1 Corinthians 10:1-10 which culminates in this statement, “Now these things happened to them as an example, and it was written down as a warning to us—on whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Please read the entire nine verses which precedes this statement, so you get proper context.)
How defiant can one be? We, even see a neighboring king use a hyphenated form of Adonai in his name, Adoni-bezek, which means “lord of Bezek.” He was god of his own earthly kingdom and he paid for his sin against God. Ten thousand of his people were struck down. He fled but did not escape capture. Our key passage tells us, “they pursued him, caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his big toes.” Even he acknowledges that “God has repaid me.” There is a price to rebellion. By his statement, he appears to be aware of and acknowledging the price of mocking God.
I have learned that we do not have to tell people that they are running from God. I have heard people acknowledge that they were running from God. The writer of Hebrews says it this way, “For we know the One who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “Adonai will judge His people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Vs. 30-31
Are you running from God or towards Him? Either way, He stands ready to receive you and forgive you if you repent.
Action: I choose today to stop running from a loving God, who is ready to forgive me from my rebellious ways.
Yield: I choose to embrace a lifestyle of Lordship to God (Adonai).
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit making Adonai Lord of my life.
Relationship: I choose to humble myself to the Supreme Lord of the universe.
Prayer: Father, I give myself anew unto You. I desire to do what You want me to do and be what You want me to be. Transform my heart, mind, and soul, to be only Yours. Amen.
Memory Verse: Romans 6:23 “For sin’s payment is death, but God’s gracious gift is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.” TLV
Music Video: Zach Williams—Chain Breaker https://youtu.be/6WtV1XtqsW0
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”