March 27, 2006 - Judges 1-3 and Luke 4:1-30
Many believers experience ups and downs in their spiritual lives. They struggle with specific sins. They live in bondage for years, until one day they cry out to God, and He delivers them from this sin. Then, they live in victory for a while, until they give in to Satan in another area of bondage. It is a terrible cycle. It is not God's will. God wants His children to rest in Him and to live in victory over sin. As we read this passage, notice this pattern and look for principles to help break this cycle.
Chapter 1 starts off on a positive note by telling how Judah and Simeon teamed up to defeat their enemies. There is a lot to be said for cooperation and helping our fellow believers in times of need. However, the end of the chapter shows the reality of disobedience. They failed to drive out the people of the land as God had commanded. This planted the seeds for future defeat. The people would be swayed by their lifestyle. They would forsake God and go into bondage. This would not have happened if they had obeyed God's commands. The same is true for us today.
Chapter 2 reminds us that if we don't pass on our faith to our children, they will not automatically follow the Lord. (v.10) Then, the children will behave even more corruptly than their fathers. (v.19) Do you see the progression? We can't be lax in this area. We must raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and we must lead them to walk closely with Him, or else there will be a downward spiral away from God and His ways.
Chapter 3 tells us that God did not choose to work a miracle and drive the pagan people out of the land once the Israelites had been disobedient. He left them to test His people. If they would obey Him, He would give them victory. They would learn to trust Him, since they had not seen the previous victories. However, the people did not trust God. They worshipped idols. Therefore, they came into bondage, until a deliver, or judge, rose up to lead them in God's ways. This remains the cycle to this day. I pray that you will break this cycle in your life. I pray that you will experience God's victory every day as you trust Him and His Word.
Luke 4 gives us a good example of how to do this. Jesus is our example here. He was filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit. (v.1) He knew God's Word, and He quoted it to defeat Satan's attacks. He passed the test and remained faithful to God. He returned home in the power of the Spirit. (v.14) He told them that He was anointed by the Spirit to do God's will. (v.18) Then when they were jealously angry and wanted to kill Him, He miraculously passed through them to safety. That is what God wants for us today. He wants us to be empowered by His Spirit and to walk in His Truth each day. It is possible. Jesus proved it. We just have to take Him at His Word.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 4-6 and Luke 4:31-44.
Chapter 1 starts off on a positive note by telling how Judah and Simeon teamed up to defeat their enemies. There is a lot to be said for cooperation and helping our fellow believers in times of need. However, the end of the chapter shows the reality of disobedience. They failed to drive out the people of the land as God had commanded. This planted the seeds for future defeat. The people would be swayed by their lifestyle. They would forsake God and go into bondage. This would not have happened if they had obeyed God's commands. The same is true for us today.
Chapter 2 reminds us that if we don't pass on our faith to our children, they will not automatically follow the Lord. (v.10) Then, the children will behave even more corruptly than their fathers. (v.19) Do you see the progression? We can't be lax in this area. We must raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and we must lead them to walk closely with Him, or else there will be a downward spiral away from God and His ways.
Chapter 3 tells us that God did not choose to work a miracle and drive the pagan people out of the land once the Israelites had been disobedient. He left them to test His people. If they would obey Him, He would give them victory. They would learn to trust Him, since they had not seen the previous victories. However, the people did not trust God. They worshipped idols. Therefore, they came into bondage, until a deliver, or judge, rose up to lead them in God's ways. This remains the cycle to this day. I pray that you will break this cycle in your life. I pray that you will experience God's victory every day as you trust Him and His Word.
Luke 4 gives us a good example of how to do this. Jesus is our example here. He was filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit. (v.1) He knew God's Word, and He quoted it to defeat Satan's attacks. He passed the test and remained faithful to God. He returned home in the power of the Spirit. (v.14) He told them that He was anointed by the Spirit to do God's will. (v.18) Then when they were jealously angry and wanted to kill Him, He miraculously passed through them to safety. That is what God wants for us today. He wants us to be empowered by His Spirit and to walk in His Truth each day. It is possible. Jesus proved it. We just have to take Him at His Word.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 4-6 and Luke 4:31-44.