“Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me. Then I will proclaim Your power to another generation, Your strength to all who are to come. Your righteousness reaches heaven, God, You who have done great things; God, who is like You?” Psalms 71:18-19
Even from our youth, may we encourage those coming behind us and share our experiences with God with them. How else will they know? Judges 2 marks a time after Joshua’s death when a whole generation passed and there arose a generation who did not know God experientially. They had not witnessed or been told about the works of His hand, nor were His words hidden in their hearts. Each one did what seemed right in his/her own mind. They abandoned the Lord and worshipped other gods; idols of all types. What are the idols we replace God with today?
“The Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and He handed them over to marauders who raided them. He sold them to the enemies around them, and they could no longer resist their enemies. Whenever the Israelites went out, the Lord was against them and brought disaster on them, just as He had promised and sworn to them. So they suffered greatly.”Judges 2:14-15 HCSB
I don’t know about you, but this sounds a lot like the world around us including our very own backyard, America. Will we walk in arrogance or…Will we wake up, humble ourselves, repent and return to God before we are given over captive to our enemies? God is faithful, loving and merciful! He is faithful and just to forgive us, to heal us and to set us free even from our captivity. There is example after example in scripture where He rescued His people and He is the same…yesterday…today…and forever! Whether your captivity is a habit, an ideology, an addiction, a person…He is your way out! In Jesus Christ (not religion), freedom is found! Forever freedom is found in knowing Him, accepting Him and living life in Christ. It is when we know who we are In Christ, that we can have the confidence and boldness to share what He has done for us, to bring comfort and hope to others who are struggling. May we not neglect those coming behind us nor tear them down because of their struggles and ideologies; but let us reach out with love and share this same comfort and hope to them in the humility and gentleness of Christ. Most folks don’t have issue with Jesus, their issue is with His representatives, so if we share His love and hope in humility, meekness and love as He did; we will be much more effective. Lord, please give us strength, wisdom, and boldness; tempered with gentleness, grace and kindness to share with others and future generations Your exploits and benefits in our lives! May you find us faithful!
“You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, [Isa. 42:8; 48:11.] But showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments. Exodus 20:4-6 AMP
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 HSCB
“It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.”. Lamentations 3:22-23 AMP
Grace & Peace to you in Him!
Living in His Grace 