Book of JudgesSample

DRAWING GOD’S ATTENTION

The Israelites had seen how God helped them fight their enemies with His mighty power. Even though they had seen God’s mighty arm upon them, the Israelites kept being unfaithful to the Lord and kept forgetting His goodness. Does this sound familiar to us? We tend to behave the same way as the Israelites…forgetting God’s goodness. Many times we also come back to our comfort zone, spiritually asleep.

When do you think a robber or our enemy will attack us? Of course! In the time when we are unguarded or when we are sleeping. Then the enemy will easily attack, steal, trap, and take us captive. That’s what happened to the Israelites. The enemy attacked them and easily beat them. The Israelites were severely distressed and finally cried out to God to forgive their transgressions. God's mercy is always available to those whose heart is turned toward Him.

God chose Jephthah, someone who was despised and forgotten, to become the commander of Israel. Repentance brought restoration for Jephthah and the Israelites. When we search and check our hearts every day and repent, we will attract God’s mercy. 

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah and he advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them and the Lord delivered them into his hands. We learn that God gives victory over problems faced when we repent and come back to Him.  

God's mercy is always available to those whose heart is turned toward Him.