Scripture: Judges 17-19.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Judges 19:30 (NLT)

30 Everyone who saw it said, “Such a horrible crime has not been committed in all the time since Israel left Egypt. Think about it! What are we going to do? Who’s going to speak up?”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

This is not a pretty passage this morning, for as I read this passage I could not believe how awful people could really be. However, I had to stop and reflect on how it must feel to God when He looks on His people whom He created, living in a beautiful place that He created for us, enjoying the blessings of everyday things that He provides for us – such as sunshine, rain, beaches, water, good health, jobs, financial success, etc, etc., additionally when He reflects on the sacrifice He made on Calvary by sending His only Son to die for us so that we might have eternity to look forward to in the presence of our Savior, yet we sit back and claim our personal achievements, we are satisfied with just staying home and watching TV instead of assembling ourselves together with other believers, we take advantage of the days set aside for worship and either sleep in or go to the beach, or hunting or fishing. Wow, how are we different to what the Levite did when he created his own little god to worship right in his home. Yet we become distraught when we see evil come our way, or God becomes silent in our lives? Friends, I realized from this passage that it is a serious thing when God pulls His hand away from us, and I was reminded that for God to truly work in our lives and in our churches, we must make these areas places worthy of the most high, for He will not inhabit places of sin or ungodly habits. We have seen over and over again the consequences of a person turning away from God, a people allowing evil in their mix, a church that refuses to give God first place in all things. We really don’t want to go there, for the consequences are not pretty. If you are not convinced, go behind me and read these three chapters and be convinced of what can happen when we make a mockery of the true and living God. Let’s start with ourselves today. Let’s once again ask God to take His rightful place in our lives. Please don’t look at the fault in your neighbor. I would dare say that each of us have a lot to deal with in getting ourselves righteous and holy before God. If we all will humble ourselves and pray, clean our acts up, get right with God, give Him first place in our lives, in our workplace, in our families and in our churches, turn from our wicked, selfish, evil ways, then He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins and restore our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Where are you at today in your walk with God?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, I thank You for Your Word today. I thank You for reminding me once again how important it is that I not allow the evil of this world to slip in and interfere with my dedication and commitment to serve You. Please forgive me where I have allowed this in the past, and give me strength for each and every hour of this day to stand firm in my commitment to serving You. May it be evident to You, and those around me, to whom I belong and am committed to. May Your love, Your will and Your way shine through me in every way today.

 

àWords underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com.
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