“…let us know His secret purpose. This was what God wanted, and He planned to do it through Christ. His goal was to carry out His plan, when the right time came, that all things in heaven and on earth would be joined together in Christ as the head. – Ephesians 1:9-11
Within the post “Roadmap to Victory”, we are given examples of how victories were gained. The greatest attribute of those that gained victories was that they let God lead them. This is His secret purpose or God’s plan for us.
Here is a video about letting God lead you to victory: Lead Me On by Amy Grant. Pay special attention to the following lyrics within the song:
Lead me on
Lead me on
To a place where the river runs
Into your keeping
Lead me on
Lead me on
The awaited deliverance
Comforts the seeking, lead on.
This day with God will be amazing because we will focus in on another passage along the journey with the purpose of applying what is learned by documenting, organizing, and affirming the principles we can use to apply in our lives. Reading in Judges 3:7-31, the people did not respond to being educated in the ways of the ONE true God and served other gods so they were defeated by the king of Aram Naharaim and subject to him for eight years.
When they cried out to the Lord, He raised up for them a deliverer named Othniel. He became Israel’s judge and in war, they regained control so there was peace in the land for forty years until Othniel died. Again the people reverted back to their old habits so the Lord handed them over to Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years until they cried out to the Lord who provided another judge named Ehud.
When we look back on history, we find that the people were successful when God provided them with a deliverer or judge that led them. We see in these judges certain characteristics like wisdom and courage but the greatest attribute is following the Way of God and allowing Him to lead them.
We see a pattern of God’s dealings with His people as they would gain victories but then forget who gave them success. They would then begin to revert back to their old habits and turn away from the Lord’s Way until He provided another judge or person to lead them. I have some good news for you my friend! We have a permanent judge in Jesus Christ who has delivered us. Here is a link to God’s Plan for Us that is the roadmap to victory.
Thank You God for today’s passage about how You gave victory to the Israelites through a deliverer or judge. Our ultimate deliverer is Jesus Christ who became a wonderful teacher to give us wisdom and truth. This truth sets us free and leads to victory. Amen.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2
The post “Focus on the Way” pointed out that once Joshua died, the Israelites lacked leadership and lost their way. The judges helped the people to understand the Way of the Lord but upon the death of a judge, the people would fall back to their destructive habits.
Today, we have the Bible to instruct us in the Way. We also have the example of Jesus who showed us the Way and the Holy Spirit to provide the power to follow the Way.
Here is a video of our leader today. Enjoy the song Here is our King by David Crowder Band. The Way of Jesus gets us back on track, helps us fix our eyes on what is important, and to be the people we need to be with total focus on an eternal paradise beyond what could be imagined.
This day with God, our attention is undivided and thankful for the path provided. It’s a wonderful time of praise for the ways God has guided. We continue to follow the path as we now read Judges 2:6 through 3:6 and we will continue to follow the steps necessary to make each day with God amazing!
Investigating today’s passage, the Israelites were completely dependent on an obedient leader. After the death of Joshua, the Israelites didn’t have a true leader and it only took one generation before they were completely disobedient to God. They started worshiping other gods and the ONE true God was not with them; therefore they were defeated by their enemies.
Then the Lord provided a way for the people to get to know him by raising up judges who kept them in line with His way. This saved them against their enemies for a while but once a judge died, they got out of line again. They stopped walking in the way of the Lord and returned to their evil practices.
The Israelites disobeyed the specific command of driving out the nations that worshiped other gods. The Lord had told them to break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire (Deut. 7:5). When the Lord delivered these nations into their hands, they didn’t destroy them totally. Instead, they intermarried with them and their children followed other gods.
The judges helped the people understand the Way of the Lord and today we have the Bible to instruct us in the Way. We also have the example of Jesus who showed us the Way and the Holy Spirit to provide the power to follow the Way. This day with God, let us focus on what matters by showing people the Way of Truth that leads to an eternal destiny rather than on a personal worldly legacy.
This day with You God, we have available to us the guiding principles taught by Christ who came down to earth in the flesh to be with us. Your mercy and grace enters into our life and the Way of Jesus leads us to our destiny in paradise which is beyond what we could ever imagine. Amen.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 