READ Judges 1
The tribes of Israel do an inadequate job of vanquishing the aliens living in the Promised
Land.

INSIGHT
The book of Judges is a pathetic chronicle of a weak and willful people. Soon after
Joshua’s death, the Israelites begin to fall short of the directives he gave them. They fail
at the most crucial point and tolerate the presence of immoral idol worshipers among
them. The story which follows is one of sexual immorality, murder, idolatry, corruption,
and greed. The depths to which the Israelites plunge is truly disgusting - reminding us of
the warnings given by Moses and Joshua. Turning your back on God always has tragic
consequences. When we read about the Israelites, their foolishness seems so clear. Yet
when we are faced with temptations today, it doesn’t seem so clear. We can learn from
the past, however. The consequences can be just as grave for us. A wise man walks
with the Lord and is saved.

PRAYER
Because we can be delivered from bondage to sin, offer your praise for the Lord’s goodness:
How countless are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all;
The earth is full of your creatures
May my meditation be pleasing to him;
I will rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 104:24, 34).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
He was despised and rejected by men,  
A man of suffering who knew what sickness was.  
He was like someone people turned away from;  
He was despised, and we didn’t value him.
We all went astray like sheep;  
We all have turned to our own way;
And the Lord has punished him
For the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:3, 6).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this
affirmation to the Lord:
So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin
And alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• Greater faithfulness with your time
• The president and national leaders
• Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
For the Lord God is a sun and shield.  
The Lord grants favor and honor;
He does not withhold the good
From those who live with integrity.  
Happy is the person who trusts in you,
Lord of Armies! (Psalm 84:11-12).