Main Verse: Judges 6:1-10

Good morning,

After Deborah passed away, Israel returned to what they were doing that had gotten them into trouble before. The taste for foreign gods that they had developed before crossing the Jordan in Moses’ time had never waned it just took a hiatus until the leader passed away. Now, they were dealing with the Midianites who robbed them of their produce and animals. Anytime the Midianites attacked the nation, the people went into caves they dug out in the mountains. So when the people were hungry and impoverished, they decided to cry out to the Lord for help. He responded by sending a Prophet to confront the people for their sinfulness – Basically, “Don’t call me, I’ll call you, we’ll do lunch, maybe”. Israel was for all intents and purposes prisoners in their homes and instead of enjoying the victory, defeat was all that they knew (Matthew 24:16-18).

At one time it was common practice to go windowshopping on a Sunday afternoon because the stores were closed and you wouldn’t be hounded for a sale. The problem with looking at Windows is that it never does the product proper justice because you will never know how it will fit on you or the product’s quality until you buy it; on some sales, there is the disclaimer, “No refunds all sales are final” so you were stuck with your purchase (Proverbs 20:17). In the same way, when Israel watched the Amorites, they looked harmless and it was most certainly more fun to do what the natives did. Still, it came at a price – and that was the loss of lives. So what could it possibly hurt? The problem was that Israel was in a covenant relationship with the Lord and He was their King; to violate His rule was tantamount to mutiny. Why didn’t God just obliterate them? Because, “My friend, God is a gentleman, and He will never force you to move into a place you don’t want to be. Since He cares for you so much, He desires that you walk in complete liberty, and He respects your boundaries, even if that means that you don’t experience His best” (Ann Graham Lotz). My encouragement for you today is that in your walk with the Lord, you will consider the choices you make. Nobody can tell you what you will do but, by grace help you to see His best for your life.

I.H.S. MK

Father,

Sin is a demon that appears calm, innocent, and controllable yet, that is just a ruse to convince the naïve. I pray for my family, city, state, and the Republic of the USA today and I plead the blood of Jesus over them. I know that many have lost hope and have been convinced to surrender their post, but I will stand my post for these people. I love my country Father just as, I hope anyway, that others love their country and will stand in the gap for them too. I don’t believe the USA is any better than any other country but I will still pray for her. Father, please forgive the foolishness of my people who have thought they could live any way they wanted to and still receive the blessings from the throne room. So here I stand Father in solidarity with my Spiritual Family and elder brother Jesus crying out for your healing.

In Jesus’ name