Judges 2:11-18, “1 The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal.12 They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord. 13 They abandoned the Lord to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth. 14 This made the Lord burn with anger against Israel, so he handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions. He turned them over to their enemies all around, and they were no longer able to resist them. 15 Every time Israel went out to battle, the Lord fought against them, causing them to be defeated, just as he had warned. And the people were in great distress. 16 Then the Lord raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers. 17 Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering.”
Judges 21:25, “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
BIG IDEA: WHEN PEOPLE DRIFT AWAY FROM GOD, HE DOESN’T STOP LOVING THEM. HE KEEPS REACHING, RESCUING, AND MAKING A WAY BACK.
TRUTH: YOU MAY WALK AWAY FROM GOD, BUT GOD NEVER WALKS AWAY FROM YOU.
GOD IS STILL WORKING
1. YOU DON’T DRIFT AWAY FROM GOD OVERNIGHT
Judges 2:10-12, “After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. 11 The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord.”
**YOU CAN BE CLOSE TO THE THINGS OF GOD WITHOUT BEING CLOSE TO GOD.
TRUTH: FORGETTING GOD STARTS WITH NOT FOCUSING ON GOD.
2. JUST BECAUSE IT FEELS RIGHT DOESN’T MAKE IT RIGHT
Judges 21:25, “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
TRUTH: YOUR FEELINGS ARE REAL, BUT THEY AREN’T ALWAYS RELIABLE.
IF YOU’RE THE ONLY PERSON DECIDING WHAT’S RIGHT, THEN YOU WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE YOURSELF THE STANDARD INSTEAD OF GOD
WHEN YOU BECOME THE STANDARD, YOU CAN ALWAYS JUSTIFY A REASON TO GET WHAT YOU WANT
**DON’T LET YOUR FEELINGS MAKE DECISIONS THAT ONLY GOD’S TRUTH SHOULD MAKE.
3. EVEN WHEN PEOPLE WALK AWAY, GOD KEEPS REACHING
Judges 2:16-19, “Then the Lord raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers. 17 Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. They went after other gods, serving and worshiping them. And they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.”
**SOMETIMES GOD IS WORKING IN YOUR STORY BEFORE YOU CAN SEE HIM WORKING IN YOUR STORY.
TRUTH: GOD’S GRACE DOESN’T PRETEND YOU NEVER WANDERED. IT GIVES YOU A WAY TO COME HOME.
4. GOD CAN BRING A BEAUTIFUL FUTURE OUT OF A PAINFUL CHAPTER
Ruth 4:13-17, “So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. 14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” 16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.”
**YOUR HARDEST CHAPTER IN LIFE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE YOUR FINAL CHAPTER IN LIFE.
TRUTH: YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD IS DOING TODAY, BUT YOU CAN TRUST WHO HE IS TODAY
