March 27, 2018: SOAP #3036: Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 2:15 Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the LORD was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress. 16 Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders.

Observation:  Why was God angry with the people He had chosen for His own–people through whom He would send Jesus to be the Savior of the world?   He was angry and let their enemies defeat them because He is a Promise Keeper.  God had blessed them AS HE HAD PROMISED and given them the land in which they had now settled.  Now God is punishing them AS HE HAS PROMISED because they refused to honor and obey Him.  God was being true to who He is!

Application:   God is still true to who He is!   It is good to be God’s people when we obey Him and walk in His blessings.  He has so many ways to bless His people! On the other hand, it is tough to be God’s people when we dishonor Him and walk in His anger.  He has so many ways to discipline His children.

Because of the sin of slavery, God punished this nation that claimed that “all men were created equal” and were “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.”  He sent a civil war among us.  God was keeping His promise.  We have now “legally” aborted 60,000,000 babies that carry the image of our Creator.  How can anyone think that the Great Promise Keeper will not hold us accountable.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, it is your character to keep your promises!  Be merciful to us; we have sinned greatly.  Forgive us and use us again for your glory, we pray.  Raise up 1,000, no 10,000 Billy Grahams to call us to repentance and back to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!