Judges 3:7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
I am incredibly thankful that we are under the new covenant with Christ and not the covenant of Old Testament—love God, be blessed; turn your back on God, be cursed. Thankfully, God shows repeatedly in Judges that He is merciful, and I am beyond grateful that His mercy endures through the ages and covenants.
Judges 3:8 The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that He sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishsthaim….
If I could stay in my recliner with my bible and my Savior (and my coffee!) by my side, I would never “forget the LORD,” but when life intrudes—annoyances and struggles, conflict, boredom, all the little things that make up life—I can be just as guilty as the Israelites of forgetting. I respond from my feelings and emotions (which lie. I know.) instead of from my Creator. Praise God for His mercy when I forget.
Judges 3:9 But when they cried out to the LORD, He raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel…who saved them.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder to take care of my own reactions instead of judging others. Help me, Lord, never to forget You, never to forsake You in my thoughts, words, and actions. Help me to be loving and merciful. Draw me closer. Amen.
Judges 3:11 So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel…died.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.