PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Judges 17-18
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”(Judges 17:6)
‘Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’.
But it isn’t power that corrupts; it is our sinful nature.
We were created and empowered to rule with God in this world.
By rejecting God as king, we became our own rulers.
Our nature without God does not work properly.
With no supreme Law or Law-Giver, each one does as they please.
Even when people believe in God, they might still do their own thing.
Some even use Jesus to justify abuse of power and immorality.
These chapters show what happens when there is no ruler.
Today we see violence, scandal and abuse of power.
We see disregard for life, addiction and sexual confusion.
Jesus shows us what God is like, that God is NOT like this.
We don’t just need any king, we need a Jesus-like king.
If we lived as Jesus saw fit, our world could be so much better.
PRAYER
Lord, you taught a kingdom that involved both law and liberty, a world shaped by love. May your kingdom come, may your will be done!
“Now I know that the Lord will be good to me, since this Levite has become my priest.” “They continued to use the idol Micah had made, all the time the house of God was in Shiloh.” This is so far deviated from the true worship of God as Moses had taught – so mixed up with the idol worship yet recognizing the benefit of having a Levite. So syncretic – so mixed up. How did God tolerate this blatant denial of true worship of Him. How patient God is? What about our walk with God – does our affluent and materialistic lifestyle also compromise us – we can have God plus have the other as well? Holy Spirit – help me not to be distracted – but rather strive to be more devoted to you Lord Jesus
The refrain in Judges is that the people did what was right in their own eyes. Just like today. Even the rulers of the land do what they desire at any cost, serving themselves rather than providing peace, security, for the people they serve. Power seems to be their god. They think that they are the king of the castle, but they too need a Saviour. Jesus Christ. He can and is able to provide for the needs of the people. What the world needs is love – the love of Christ, our risen Saviour. We all need to serve Him.
1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
2 We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
3 Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.
4 Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.