But Are You Following Through on the Word God Gave You!

Judges 13-15

This is a reminder that God will give us a word. This is also a reminder that we must have an ear to hear. Even more importantly than an initial "I hear you God" or beginning to implement the word, is am I following through with it? In other words, am I giving place for God to continue to speak to me about this word with next steps. The initial word is just the beginning. I must be willing to wait on God for how I need to proceed. Sometimes, things have to transpire in our lives before we can see and glean what God is trying to tell us. Sometimes, he just wants us to watch so we know what we are dealing with which will tell how we should be responding. When we are not willing to wait, we align ourselves with the enemy and still try to do God's work. This is counter productive.

The Cost of Speaking too Soon!

Judges 11-12

This is a reminder of the story of a man named Jephthah. Jephthah was an Israelite. He was the son of Gilead, but his mother was a harlot. He was a mighty man of valour. Gilead's wife had sons as well. When Gilead's wife sons grew up, they cast Jephthah out of his father's house. Jephthah became a bandit in a place called Tob. When the people of Ammon began to war with the Israelites, the elders of Israel came to Tob, and asked Jephthah if he would lead them in fighting the war against Ammon. He eventually agreed as long as he would be the ruler of the Israelites after the victory. Jephthah prayed to God and won the victory over the Ammonites. Jephthah was so glad that he vowed to the Lord that the first person who came out of his door when he returned home would be dedicated to God or offered as a burnt offering if it ws cattle.

when he got home, his one and only child came out dancing and playing the timbrels. He was saddened. This meant his only daughter would be given in service to God because of the vow he made to God. The daughter said it was okay since God gave him the victory. She asked for 2 months to bewail her virginity with friends. And so she did. Jephthah did what many of us do with God. He made a vow to God when he did not need to. We often think that we need to make a vow with God to get our prayers answered. This is not so. God will answer out prayers. We do not need to barter, promise, or make vows for God to answer our prayers. But, if we do make a vow, God will require it of us. Thinking before we try to make a deal with God is wise. It can cost too much when we do not.

What You Don't Want to Hear From God!

Judges 10

This is a reminder that even favor can run out when we continuously take it for granted. When we keep doing the same things and expect God to keep rescuing us when we get in trouble, it is just a matter of time until the favor runs out. God tells the Israelites to let their gods deliver them out of their tribulations. Back then and now, we have many gods such as people, money, and drugs, to name a few. Anything we put before God is our god. God wants us to default to him, not the mini gods that we go to first. We often go to God last when everything else has failed us. What happens when God himself says "not this time."