Prayer: Father, help me to not question Your ways, but to accept Your ways and be obedient. Amen.
Reading: Judges 2 key: vs. 20-22 “So the anger of Adonai burned against Israel, and He declared, “Since this nation has transgressed My covenant that I commanded their fathers and has not listened to My voice, I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, in order to test Israel by them, whether or not they will keep the way of Adonai to walk in it as their fathers did.” TLV
Attention: I remember the days of my youth when I was in college, fretting about mid-term and finals tests. For those who are in college and think that your life will be free of tests once you graduate, you are naïve. There are all kinds of tests which we face as adults. Tests for a driver license. Tests if you are in the transportation field for a specialty license, or for drugs or substance abuse. Background checks for certain career paths. For those with a health concern, tests are performed on bloodwork or a biopsy of skin.
If you have journeyed with us through the Pentateuch, the first five books of scripture, you have witnessed the cycle of a nation’s repentance, only to fall into disobedience and old patterns of sin. While Joshua was alive the scriptures say that “the people worshipped Adonai all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of Adonai to walk in it as their fathers did.” that He had done for Israel.”
We will witness a level of obedience and worship which prevailed as long as a spiritual leader lived. Once they passed away, the people gradually abandoned Adonai and began “following other gods, worshipping them, and bowing down to them.” It seems unfathomable, yet how much like them are we?
Adonai chose at this point to test Israel, to see “whether or not they will keep the way of Adonai to walk in it as their fathers did.” Even their fathers struggled as we witnessed. Yet, every leader was able to lead them to reestablish their walk, their followship of Adonai.
Are you being tested by God, to see if you will remain obedient? God will not temp us, but He will test us. I encourage you to resolve today to be faithful and obedient to God and His Word.
Action: I choose today to be faithful and obedient to God and His Word!
Yield: I choose today to yield to the supreme authority of Adonai.
Engage: I choose today to engage with the Holy Spirit in living a holy lifestyle unto Adonai.
Relationship: Father, being obedient to You is a choice. Either I am a slave to righteousness or a slave to evil. I choose to be Your slave and servant. Amen.
Memory Verse: Jacob (James) 1: 2-3 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” TLV
Music Video: Gaither Vocal Band—I’m Yours, Lord https://youtu.be/gQuueAK1Z4o
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”