April 1-Meditating on God’s Word
Here is the passage for the week:
Judges 6:1-6, The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. 2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 4 They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. 5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
Praying the Word: “Lord God, we can get ourselves into some serious predicaments when we fail to follow Your instruction. When we choose to go our own way and do our own thing, we are telling You we don’t value Your holy word, and we don’t need Your leadership. When we choose to take our own route, we remove ourselves from Your protection. We become our own GPS, not knowing what You know about the road ahead. This gives the enemy a wide-open opportunity to lead us astray and destroy what we have. Like the Israelites, when we have had enough of going down the wrong road and facing so many roadblocks, may we humble ourselves, repent, and cry out to You for help. Even after all our disobedience, Your grace-filled heart still longs for us to return home to You. Hear our cry today. Amen.”
April 2-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:1, The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.
Observe what it is saying.
The Israelites found themselves in a cycle of addiction to sin. They couldn’t maintain the sobriety of faithfulness to the Lord. The cycle went like this: the Israelites sinned, the Lord allowed judgment to fall upon them, the Israelites cried out for help, the Lord sent a rescuer, and there was peace until the cycle started over. The Lord’s judgment was their self-inflicted removal of His protection and peace upon themselves. God’s judgment is built into the system. When we choose to go our own way on our own terms, we take ourselves out of God’s protection. God’s word reveals God’s will for us to live the best possible life of peace and protection. We go against God’s plan at our own peril.
Relate it to your life.
If I want God’s best, then I will choose to follow God’s word and will.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, I place myself under your loving care as I stay close to You today and each day after. Amen.”
April 3-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:2-3, Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country.
Observe what it is saying.
The Midianites were desert dwellers, descended from Abraham. For seven years these camel-riding Bedouin swept across the Jordan into the Valley of Jezreel at harvest time. Because of the speed of the camel, they, along with others, roamed all over Israel’s fruitful plain. Israel was helpless to resist the invaders and took to the hills to save their lives. It was a time of judgment of apocalyptic proportion, as we later read, “Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.” (Revelation 6:15) Turning away from the Lord invites disaster.
Relate it to your life.
I need to fully understand the consequences of compromising my relationship with the Lord.
Do something.
“Jesus, please forgive me for being prone to leave the Lord I love. Amen.”
April 4-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:4, They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys.
Observe what it is saying.
We discover how devastating their presence was upon Israel’s economy and food supply. As we mentioned yesterday, this was like an apocalyptic period in their history. Similarly, we think of Russia’s devastating invasion of the Ukraine and radical Muslims who ravage Christians in Northern Nigeria. We can only imagine the fear that ran through the Israelite nation and runs through the nations suffering such horrors today. May we pray and give to help those around the world who are in greatest need from unjust war and persecution.
Relate it to your life.
Our world is filled with evil empires who do unimaginable horror to neighboring countries.
Do something.
“Jesus, bring Your rule to earth for we desperately need Your leadership over the world. Amen.”
April 5-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:5, They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it.
Observe what it is saying.
The invading nations were like swarming insects who covered the whole land. The picture painted here is one of absolute terror. People and camels were everywhere, having one purpose, to consume the Israelites’ food supply. These were as desperate of times as one can imagine. They had no ability to control their circumstances. They were hopeless. Have you ever been there? Are you there today? What a difficult place to be. What would they do? What will you do? Is there anyone or anything that can help you?
Relate it to your life.
When tested with terrifying circumstances, I will discover upon that which I’ve built my life.
Do something.
“Jesus, when devastating trouble comes, may I be found to have a solid foundation. Amen.”
April 6-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:6, Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
Observe what it is saying.
So, the Israelites finally remembered the Lord and pleaded for His help. Unfortunately, they did what we often do. We call on God as a last resort. When everything has escalated beyond our control, then we remember to ask God for help. However, let’s remember that the Israelites were in these terrible circumstances because they had turned their backs on God in the first place. So, God wasn’t on their minds. They had to reach deep into their memory bank to remember the goodness of God. Their example should motivate us to walk faithfully with Christ each and every day. So when the day of challenging circumstances comes, we’re already in a vibrant relationship with Jesus that will keep us strong and steady through it all. We won’t have to reach deep to remember because Christ will already be at the forefront of our minds where we just keep abiding and asking for the help we need each and every day.
Relate it to your life.
The best thing I can do to prepare for troubling times is to build my life on Jesus today.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me close to You so that I’m never out of Your empowering presence. Amen.”
Here is the passage for the week:
Judges 6:1-6, The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. 2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. 4 They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. 5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. 6 Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
Praying the Word: “Lord God, we can get ourselves into some serious predicaments when we fail to follow Your instruction. When we choose to go our own way and do our own thing, we are telling You we don’t value Your holy word, and we don’t need Your leadership. When we choose to take our own route, we remove ourselves from Your protection. We become our own GPS, not knowing what You know about the road ahead. This gives the enemy a wide-open opportunity to lead us astray and destroy what we have. Like the Israelites, when we have had enough of going down the wrong road and facing so many roadblocks, may we humble ourselves, repent, and cry out to You for help. Even after all our disobedience, Your grace-filled heart still longs for us to return home to You. Hear our cry today. Amen.”
April 2-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:1, The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites.
Observe what it is saying.
The Israelites found themselves in a cycle of addiction to sin. They couldn’t maintain the sobriety of faithfulness to the Lord. The cycle went like this: the Israelites sinned, the Lord allowed judgment to fall upon them, the Israelites cried out for help, the Lord sent a rescuer, and there was peace until the cycle started over. The Lord’s judgment was their self-inflicted removal of His protection and peace upon themselves. God’s judgment is built into the system. When we choose to go our own way on our own terms, we take ourselves out of God’s protection. God’s word reveals God’s will for us to live the best possible life of peace and protection. We go against God’s plan at our own peril.
Relate it to your life.
If I want God’s best, then I will choose to follow God’s word and will.
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, I place myself under your loving care as I stay close to You today and each day after. Amen.”
April 3-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:2-3, Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country.
Observe what it is saying.
The Midianites were desert dwellers, descended from Abraham. For seven years these camel-riding Bedouin swept across the Jordan into the Valley of Jezreel at harvest time. Because of the speed of the camel, they, along with others, roamed all over Israel’s fruitful plain. Israel was helpless to resist the invaders and took to the hills to save their lives. It was a time of judgment of apocalyptic proportion, as we later read, “Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.” (Revelation 6:15) Turning away from the Lord invites disaster.
Relate it to your life.
I need to fully understand the consequences of compromising my relationship with the Lord.
Do something.
“Jesus, please forgive me for being prone to leave the Lord I love. Amen.”
April 4-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:4, They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys.
Observe what it is saying.
We discover how devastating their presence was upon Israel’s economy and food supply. As we mentioned yesterday, this was like an apocalyptic period in their history. Similarly, we think of Russia’s devastating invasion of the Ukraine and radical Muslims who ravage Christians in Northern Nigeria. We can only imagine the fear that ran through the Israelite nation and runs through the nations suffering such horrors today. May we pray and give to help those around the world who are in greatest need from unjust war and persecution.
Relate it to your life.
Our world is filled with evil empires who do unimaginable horror to neighboring countries.
Do something.
“Jesus, bring Your rule to earth for we desperately need Your leadership over the world. Amen.”
April 5-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:5, They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count them or their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it.
Observe what it is saying.
The invading nations were like swarming insects who covered the whole land. The picture painted here is one of absolute terror. People and camels were everywhere, having one purpose, to consume the Israelites’ food supply. These were as desperate of times as one can imagine. They had no ability to control their circumstances. They were hopeless. Have you ever been there? Are you there today? What a difficult place to be. What would they do? What will you do? Is there anyone or anything that can help you?
Relate it to your life.
When tested with terrifying circumstances, I will discover upon that which I’ve built my life.
Do something.
“Jesus, when devastating trouble comes, may I be found to have a solid foundation. Amen.”
April 6-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Judges 6:6, Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
Observe what it is saying.
So, the Israelites finally remembered the Lord and pleaded for His help. Unfortunately, they did what we often do. We call on God as a last resort. When everything has escalated beyond our control, then we remember to ask God for help. However, let’s remember that the Israelites were in these terrible circumstances because they had turned their backs on God in the first place. So, God wasn’t on their minds. They had to reach deep into their memory bank to remember the goodness of God. Their example should motivate us to walk faithfully with Christ each and every day. So when the day of challenging circumstances comes, we’re already in a vibrant relationship with Jesus that will keep us strong and steady through it all. We won’t have to reach deep to remember because Christ will already be at the forefront of our minds where we just keep abiding and asking for the help we need each and every day.
Relate it to your life.
The best thing I can do to prepare for troubling times is to build my life on Jesus today.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me close to You so that I’m never out of Your empowering presence. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals