Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Monday March 30, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Judges. Please read chapters 18 & 19 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this one into your browser: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%2018-19&version=9
Today's Message: God's Territory
Following our own fleshly desires always leads us away from God's Territory, but obedience to His Word will always leads us into His perfect will for our lives.
Samson was the last judge that was recorded in the book of Judges, after his death the Israelites continued to ignore God's Word, becoming corrupted by the temptations of the world and pretty much making up their own rules and doing whatever seemed most gratifying to themselves. Too often many Christians never stop to think about others needs, seeking only to fulfill their own desires. The worse part of it is that they know they are doing wrong, disregarding God all together, only seeking Him when they get into trouble.
Another example of how corrupted God's children become when they are not living in His Word is the tribe of Dan. "In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel. And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there." (Judges 18:1-2). The tribe of Dan was powerful and had more than 64,000 soldiers, but they did not succeed in driving the Amorites from their God-given territory. In fact, they had lost part of their inheritance to the Philistines and part to the Amorites who forced them into the mountains.
One of the reasons the Danites failed in battle was that they were dissatisfied with the territory God had allotted to them. Instead of fighting for their land and following God, some of them decided to move north to Laish. "Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man. And they came unto their brethren to Zorah and Eshtaol: and their brethren said unto them, What say ye? And they said, Arise, that we may go up against them: for we have seen the land, and, behold, it is very good: and are ye still? be not slothful to go, and to enter to possess the land." (18:7-9). Too often, many people are not content with the way their lives are going and instead of seeking God for guidance they run toward things that seem easier.
Another reason they failed was that they lodged in the house of Micah, which was full of corruption, they were there just briefly enough to become tempted, longing for what they saw. When they left they ended up bringing their priest and his pagan idols with them. "And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war. And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye? And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people." (18:17-20). The corruption of these Danites resulted from a failure to listen to and obey the Word of God. If they had remained in the territory God had given them, they would not have entered the house of Micah and become involved in idol worship.
The entire book of Judges proves that even though God loves us and wants the best for us He will not stand by and watch His children continue to live in sin with the sense that He will always being there to get them out of trouble. "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons." (Colossians 3:22-25).
Today's Psalm: 138:6-7
"Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me."
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
There is no limit to all that You have provided for us such as material blessings, physical health, the love of family and unending promises that You have already fulfilled or that are yet to be fulfilled. You have also set visible and well-defined boundaries that are for our own good. Temptations that either toe the boundary line or cross over into enemy territory will always be there, but You give us the power to resist and discernment to recognize the alluring deceit of the evil one. Help our eyes and hearts to remain focused on Your innumerable blessings and provisions as we stand against Satan, who seeks to destroy us. In Jesus' Name........Amen.
Have a wonderful and blessed night/day
God bless,
Christina
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