Read:
If you're a parent, you know this struggle all too well: after a long day of travel, when all you want to do is kick your feet up and rest, the kids want to play in the pool or go to the beach. You want them to have fun, so you go, but instead of relaxing, you're now keeping careful watch. Your kids need to stay safe, so you stay vigilant and alert.
After the Israelites conquered their enemies and divided the land, God gave them rest. But Joshua warned them: be vigilant. He reestablished the covenant that God made with Moses. God will be their God, and they will be his people, but if they turn away from God to worship other gods, “he will turn against you and destroy you.” The people promised to obey and worship God alone, remembering everything he had done for them.
Then Joshua died. “The people of Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him—those who had personally experienced all that the Lord had done for Israel.” But as you turn the page to read the book of Judges, you’ll see their faithfulness only lasted for one generation. “After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal.” (Judges 2:10-11)
God is faithful. We are not. Our tendency is to go our own way and seek other things we think will bring us joy and fill the emptiness inside our hearts. We’re wrong; nothing except God alone will fill that or bring us lasting joy. We need to be vigilant in our own lives, reestablishing with God daily our desire to serve him. Will you do that today?
Pray: Dear God, you are faithful. I am not. Forgive me for choosing my own way and draw me into a closer relationship with you. Amen.