RTW April 6

When God Isn’t Allowed To Be King

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.
Judges 21:25

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

F.B. Meyer

“It will be sufficient to ponder these words, which occur four times in the book, without reading further in this terrible chapter, which shows the depths of the depravity to which may sink apart from the grace of God.”

No moral compass. Spiritual confusion. Idolatry. Civil unrest.

These conditions arise when we

Reject

  • God’s Word
  • His Authority

Accept

  • our own individual standard.

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. (ESV)
Romans 8:7

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
Romans 12:2

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. (ESV)
1 Peter 5:6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6

https://www.gotquestions.org/submit-to-God.html

Something New

After the first failure, Israel was sorry and wept. But it was only after the second failure that they put their repentance into action by fasting and made a sacrifice for their sins. Sorrow and weeping are not enough if they are not matched by real repentance and taking care of the sin problem through sacrifice – the sacrifice of the cross. ~Guzik

Something to Do

Lean into and live by the leadership of my King, accepting His Word and His authority.

 

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3 Comments

  1. This reading brought to my mind the verse (I don’t remember where it occurs in scripture), but it talks about the ‘wall of righteousness that guards the land’. That wall was obviously seriously broken down at that time in their history. I need to help keep that wall strong by keeping righteousness alive in my own life, and encourage others to do the same.

  2. Today’s reading is horrifying. Each time I read the story of the concubine, I am again sorrowful and disgusted. I think, “Why did the author feel this story needed to be included?” But of course we know why. It is such an impactful story to show us what can happen when we are separated from God’s grace. Without our King, there is no peace, no rest.
    Sadly there are events on the nightly news just as horrifying. I pray that all of us can be loving examples in our little “corners” of the world – letting God shine through us so that we may share God’s love and grace with others. I pray, in this way, we can bring more light into the darkness. Amen

  3. My Takeaways: Deja vu – The sin of Sodom is now a sin within Israel.

    Something Old: This was a very difficult read today, but it did reopen my eyes to the fact we are all sinful people and all fall short. We need redemption, not only from sin, but also form ourselves. When we leave God out of our life we may be shocked at what we are capable of doing.

    Something New: As awful as this reading was for me today, I realized
    how similar our world is to this, today. We know longer summit to authority. We want to do our own thing. We’ve taken prayer and Bible reading out of the public schools. Abortion clinics are everywhere -murdering our children. Adultery, fornication, lesbianism, homosexuality, bisexual, intersex, and transgenderism, etc. are all too common place; even the law of the land. When people selfishly satisfy their personal desires at all cost, everyone pays the price.
    “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) May God give us grace and mercy in America today.

    Something To Do: Fight the battle each day in my home, on my job, in my church, and society to make God’s kingdom a reality. As the song goes, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of Earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” Read the Bible daily because only God’s standards will give me the treasures of heaven.

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