Day
Three: Judges 2:16-19 The
LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders, but
they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with
other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their
fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands. They did not do as
their fathers did. Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, the
LORD was with him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while
the judge was still alive. The LORD was moved to pity whenever they groaned
because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them. Whenever the judge
died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers, going
after other gods to worship and bow down to them. They did not turn from their
[evil] practices or their obstinate ways.
Read
the beginning of the story, Judges 2:11-15, in your Bible.
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT COMIC-BOOK MOVIES that really seems
to hit home with us. I think it’s because, even though Spider-Man is swinging
around town or Batman is pummelling some thug in an alley, we can relate to
something about them—a flaw, or a personal tragedy they have to overcome. Often
these characters are portrayed as normal people put in extraordinary
situations, doing what they can to be heroes but fighting something that
lingers—some moral dilemma or dark character trait they can’t get past.
Movie-screen heroes are never perfect.
The book of Judges is an account of God’s people descending
into spiritual indifference and rebellion, and the efforts of judges, spiritual
heroes appointed by God, to bring those people back to righteousness. The
judges, however, were flawed people. The Bible honors them (Heb. 11:32) for
their faith, not for their perfection. Fortunately, God sent a Hero who was
perfect and who is able to rescue us from sin.
Jesus not only lived a perfect life, but He willingly died
for you so that you could have a relationship with God—life with purpose. You
can accept this free gift by accepting Christ as your savior, believing that He
died for you and was raised again, and by repenting from your old life and
trusting Him every day. If you have already done these things, then it’s time
to spread the word! Because let’s face it, there’s no way we could live a
sinless life and earn our way into a relationship with God—that’s what our Hero
was for.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
▷▷How can you be Christ to those around you today?
▷▷Do you think the Israelites took God seriously? Why?
▷▷Do you take God’s Word seriously? What are some ways you can
live that out?
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