The Afflicted

The Afflicted

Judges 2:13-18

13They abandoned the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. 14So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. 15Whenever they marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had warned, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress.

16Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. 17Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the LORD, and they did not do so. 18Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. 

Lots of verses today guys and gals.....Please read all of them so you will fully understand this message.  As most of you know, when I write a message it almost always is a message to myself and today is not unlike the norm.

These verses describe the period of time in Israel's history where they would repent of following other gods and turning away from the one God, then fall back into sin.  When they followed the one true God they were blessed with peace and prosperity, but each time they fell away they were punished at the hands of their enemies.  Sound familiar?  Isn't this what we all do as Christians most of the time?   We follow the road map set forth in the bible and have that peace in our heart that " surpasses all understanding", then we go back to whatever sins we were committing before.  And when we do, our peaceful feelings go away as God then directly or indirectly punishes us like any good father would.

I guess my point today is this.....We should all strive to keep focused on our relationship with God...Strive to do it just like striving to "enter through the narrow gate" like we are told to do in Luke 13:24.  Will this mean our lives will never have stress?  Absolutely not!  But the comfort of the relationship with our Father will help us better than any counselor could ever do. 

 Imagine you are 5 and you did something bad...maybe real bad....you struggle with the guilt until you dad finally finds out, or maybe you even tell him....He punishes you for the wrong, but then hugs on you and tells you it's ok and that he loves you!  Immediately the guilt from the sin goes away because it's out in the open and you have been forgiven.  THAT SHOULD BE THE RELATIONSHIP WE STRIVE FOR WITH GOD.  We will make mistakes, I assure you, but when we do and repent of them, the comfort that comes to us from Him will make us understand Grace all the more.

God Bless Ya'll!

Please email me and let me know if any of these messages have helped...I would like to start posting some of the messages I get.  I won't use your name unless you agree to let me.