Judges 3-4 Crying Out WHY?

A common theme seemed to run through these chapters, and it isn’t particularly good.  “The Israelites did what the Lord said was wrong … so the Lord allowed their enemy to rule over them … When Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord sent someone to save them.”

 

That says more about God’s mercy and longsuffering than anything else.  “The Israelites cried out to God, not to forgive their sins, but to relieve their suffering.  Had they truly repented, God would have done much more than deliver them from physical slavery.  He would have liberated them from their spiritual bondage as well.  To ask God for comfort and not cleansing is only to sow seeds of selfishness that will eventually produce another bitter harvest,” my commentary said.

 

Father, like my commentary mentioned, I don’t want religious reformation in my life.  I want spiritual revival – not temporary changes to outward conduct, but instead permanently altered inward character.  Please continue to be at work in my life, leading me not to cry out for relief from suffering, but always for forgiveness of sin.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford