Ruth 1, 2

Boaz was a good boss. He was organized, thoughtful, respectful, and generous. His outstanding character was on display in the beautiful love story of Ruth. His honor was rewarded with Ruth’s love and devotion.

God knows how to reward us for putting Him first. What the Lord does for us, we couldn’t do for ourselves. God always knows what we REALLY NEED.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. [Ps. 84:11]

Judges 20, 21

The tribe of Benjamin was nearly wiped out because all of Israel rose up to defend the man whose wife had been murdered. It is a sad discourse of how an unrepentant tribe suffered near extinction because they refused to acknowledge their transgression and permitted sexual perversity to continue.

God must be deeply offended by the way our nation justifies its horrific perverseness and abortion. If we get what we deserve, we can’t survive as a nation. It is time to humble ourselves before the Lord and call out for His mercy.

If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their evil ways, then will I hear from heaven and will for their sin and heal their land. [2 Chron. 7:14]

Judges 17-19

A sad story appears in the book of Judges, one of gross sexual perversion and horrific murder. It’s about a woman who was severely abused and murdered by perverted, lustful men in the town of Gibeah. They actually preferred to violate the men in this story. Hence, this form of sin is nothing new.

Sadly, many leaders and legislators in our nation have embraced and openly promote sexual perversion like the evil men of Gibeah. As responsible Christian citizens, it’s imperative that we let our voice be heard by voting against politicians who embrace and defend what the Bible calls gross sin. We may be branded as incorrect politically, but when we stand before the Lord, we will glad we upheld His moral code.

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. [Pr. 14:34]

Judges 14-16

Eventually, Samson’s misdeeds were used by God to “bring down the house” upon enemy leaders, but he seemed to be an easy mark for deceptive Philistine women.

God’s gifts are given without repentance, but they are to be used wisely and for His Glory alone.

Elvis was gifted by God, but his potential for impact for God’s Kingdom was eroded by his own proclivity to pleasure and worldly fame. At age 42, he died of a heart attack due to habitual drug use and failing health. All his money and fame couldn’t merit him a normal, rewarding life. Such a waste.

Judges 12, 13

God sent His angel to Samson’s parents to inform them of the purpose of their boy’s life. He didn’t tell them where to go to church. He didn’t tell them what school to put him in. He didn’t tell them what books to read, or what gym to join … He instructed them about what they were to eat and drink. Amazing point.

There is a purpose for every person born into a Christian family. Parents have a profound role in nurturing and shaping their children to hit the mark. Obviously, God’s GRACE is the predominant factor in this process, but faithful obedience to and compliance with His Kingdom Principles is a given.

In the contemporary Christian church, we take seriously the occasion and ceremony of dedicating children to the Lord. God, give us the grace to do our part in preparing our children for service in Your Kingdom.

And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. [Judges 13:24]

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. [Like 2:52]

Judges 10, 11

Because they had forsaken Him and were worshiping the Gods of the Canaanites, apostate Israel was experiencing the misery that results from living in sin. (The way of transgressors is HARD -Pr. 13:15) This was tough for God to watch. It pained Him to see them suffer when they could be living in blessing if they would turn away from sin. He raised up Jephthah, a mighty warrior, to be a deliverer for them.

Why is it that we think partaking of the worldly vices will bring any lasting reward? The devastation we will eventually experience causes pain for us and everyone who loves us, especially God.

The Lord does not want any person to be punished forever. He wants all people to be sorry for their sins and turn from them. [2 Peter 3:9b NLV]

Judges 9

Abimelek, one of Gideon’s sons, was an evil leader. He murdered his 70 brothers, mercilessly murdered anyone who rose up against him, and left a trail of devastation wherever he went. He attempted one slaughter too many when he was in process to kill the citizens of Thebez who had all fled to a tower in their city. As he approached the tower to burn it down, an unsuspecting woman tossed a millstone over the side. It landed squarely on Abimelek’s head, mortally wounding him. His head smashed, he asked his young armor-bearer to thrust him through with a sword so that it could not be said “An ordinary woman killed him.”

Evil workers think they are above the judgement of God. It’s on His list of actions to repay their deeds in His own time, unless they repent and cast themselves upon His mercy.

Behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. [Numbers 32:23]

Judges 7, 8

Gideon was used by God to achieve such great and miraculous victories over the Midianites, such as defeating an army of of 15,000 men to apprehend Zebah and Zalmunna, their leaders. Sadly, he used gold from the plunder to mold an ephod which ended up being used as an idol distraction. So soon God’s people would turn away from the Lord after He had given them such profound deliverances.

Our sin nature will continuously try to turn us away from God. The best safeguard is to read God’s Word EVERY DAY. It empowers us to resist our enemy’s allure.

If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 Jn. 1:9]

Judges 5, 6

Gideon was the least of his tribe, yet God sent His angel to him with instructions on how to overcome the Midianites who were terrorizing Israel. He gathered an army to fight, but God said it was too large an army. God again instructed him through an elimination process to get the group down to 300 men.

The issue; if they were a large force, God said they would boast of their own strength rather than in His.

This is God’s way. He confounds our wisdom and natural strength so He can get all the glory. We can then praise Him and trust Him because He does it FOR US when we are insufficient.

But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. [James 4:6]

Judges 3, 4

God left hostile nations in the Promised Land to give the new generation of His Children opportunity to learn warfare. It was a training exercise for the youth. They also needed to taste victory for themselves.

Young people need to learn to be overcomers. They learn through the things they go through. Much of their challenge is in their mind … gaining life skills and self-confidence to navigate life’s trials. They need to learn that total victory IS AVAILABLE through the Lord. It’s a shame if they don’t learn and carry weaknesses throughout the rest of their lives.

Though He (Christ Jesus) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; [Hebrews 5:8]

I am grateful that God ALWAYS makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. [2 Cor. 2:14]