Obedience
BRD REFLECTIONS:
(Angela Tan, SGM Core Team Member)
READ:
Judges 1 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In the first chapter of the book of Judges, the Israelites were asking the Lord for directions as Joshua, their leader, had passed away. As the Lord answered them in verse 2, they obeyed. Because of their obedience, in verse 4, the Lord gave them victory over the Canaanites and Perizzites. The phrase ‘The Lord was with…’ was used in both verses 19 and 22, with the men of Judah and the tribes of Joseph, as they went into battle. Such reassurance meant they did not go into battle alone: the Lord fought for them
Sadly, in verses 21 and 27-33 the words ‘did not drive out’ is repeated over and over again. God had told the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of the land and destroy their idols otherwise they would be thorns in their sides (Num 33:55). However, they disobeyed and allowed them to live side by side with them.
APPLY:
This chapter reminds me of how I am to walk with God in the new year – 2024. Firstly, I am to seek Him first, to ask Him for His plans, His purposes and directions. Just as the Israelites engaged in physical battles, we are fighting spiritual battles. I need the Lord to be with me. When I obey His commandments, I am assured of His presence with me. It is so comforting to hear those words, “The Lord was with ____ (your name)”
In Exodus 34:11, God told the Israelites to obey what He has commanded and He will drive out the inhabitants of the land. He desires my obedience.
However, if I choose to disobey and allow sin and idols to live side by side with me, I will not experience His power and the victory He promises. What are the idols in my life that I need to remove or ‘drive out’ – work, money, material things, people, fame, praise of men? What is good can also become an idol. It cannot have a place in my life if I desire to follow Him.
DO:
I will seek God first daily and pursue His righteousness.
I will choose to obey Him daily, to submit my will, my heart and my life under His Lordship.
I will examine my life daily and allow God to do His cleansing and renewing work in my life.
PRAY:
Father, please forgive my disobedience in allowing idols in my life. Holy Spirit, help me to obey and submit completely as a living sacrifice. Thank you for being in the battle with me and for giving me the power to overcome. Amen.
