Friday, November 17, 2023
Friday, November 17, 2023:
Pause. Pray. Read. Be still. Write. Pray. Go about your day or turn in for the night.
Read: Judges 2:16-23
Once in the Promised Land of Canaan, the Israelites fell into the repeating cycle of unfaithfulness to God and the covenant, followed by oppression, repentance, and ultimately deliverance from their enemy. The Lord, in His mercy and compassion, raised up judges to help keep Israel on the path of righteousness. Yet, as each judge died, the people once again gave way to their old habits and idolatries, thus repeating the cycle.
Be still and Reflect: Who can or does serve as a godly Christian mentor or accountability partner with whom you can talk regularly to discern good choices and to stay on the path of righteousness?
Pray: Heavenly Father and Lord of All, thank you for the history lessons of Israel, so that I can learn from and hopefully avoid their mistakes. Search my heart, examen my mind, and root out any thoughts, attitudes, or deeds that separate me from You. Give me wise Christ followers to show me my faults or shortcomings and to challenge me to grow in faithfulness to You and Your ways.
Lord, I also lift to You those who serve in our court systems. Pour out Your spirit on them that they might judge wisely and humbly. Let Your righteousness and justice reign over all this land and throughout the world. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.