Main Reading: Judges 3

Good morning!

Israel was the Lord’s portion thanks to their ancestors who gave their lives in service to Him. So when the Lord told Moses to bring the people up on the mountain to hear the requirements of the Covenant, the people became afraid and asked Moses to be the go-between or, “The Judge”. After Moses’ and Joshua’s passing, that “Important role” was left open again, this was on purpose. The reason for this was to test the nation to see where they stood and which God or god they would follow. The problem, as I see it is that the people wanted the good land, the blessings of the Lord, and the fruit but they did not want to live according to the Lord’s edicts. When the nation got their first taste of the Baals’ fruit, the people found it to be appealing and so they bowed down to them. When the nation endured the calamities that fell because of their choices, it would be very easy to pass the blame on the Lord because “He had to know what would transpire but did nothing about it”. The reason He did nothing about their current situation is that any changes made would nullify the test. For Israel, this test played out in them falling prey to the whims and will of the opposing nations; add to the mix the nation got the taste of Baal’s fruit that would affect everything they did in the future.

When I was in school we had to prepare for tests in which the teacher would cover the information that would be on the test; while the review was good, it was the homework and the notes we took during class time that were the most helpful; if we did not do the homework or forgot to take notes, the teacher did not modify the test to be sure we got a passing grade. The difference between the tests we took in school and the ones we have in life is that the tests either strengthen our resolve or weaken us depending on the work we put into it (2 Timothy 2:14-19). My encouragement for you today is that you will consider the pathways that you travel on and take a hard look at where your trust lies whether it be in the Baals or the Lord God (Jeremiah 7:8-11).

I.H.S. MK

Father,

No one likes taking tests because it means relying on what I have developed in my life; if our trust is not in you, these tests will ferret it out. So please help me today to always put my trust in you even when I cannot see your hand moving in my life. I know that You have provided everything I need for life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:2-4). So with one arm raised in praise and the other on a dual-edged sword, help me to face life. Please forgive the sins in my life.

In Jesus’ Name