SCRIPTURE:
7 The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel….10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.
Judges 2:7, 2:10-11
OBSERVATION:
Have you experienced God’s faithfulness in your life?
If your answer is “yes,” may I ask you a second question? How are others supposed to know these stories of God’s faithfulness unless you tell them?
Today in our devotional reading plan, we are beginning the book of Judges. At the beginning of this book, we are told that Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, has died. Joshua was a great leader, obediently following God’s direction and faithfully stewarding his leadership to lead people towards God’s plan and promises. What was the result of Joshua’s leadership? “The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel” (Judges 2:7). The people served God in both Joshua’s generation, and the generation that followed.
However, what happened after that generation? “The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (Judges 2:11). And, most importantly, why did they fall away from God and do evil in His eyes? Because “another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). In other words, the generation that followed Joshua’s generation failed to tell future generations of God’s faithfulness in their life. Although they experienced God’s faithfulness in their lives, they failed to pass on God’s legacy of faithfulness to the next generation. And the result was catastrophic.
APPLICATION:
Have you experienced God’s faithfulness in your life? If so, you have a responsibility to share these stories of His faithfulness in your life with future generations. No matter how old or how young you may be, God charges each and every single one of us with this responsibility. After all, tomorrow is never promised, no matter what age you are.
If God has been faithful to you, tell others about it. You are not bragging about yourself, you are boasting in Christ. As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 NIV, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
God wants to use the testimony He has given you to make a difference in the lives of others. You may very well be the reason someone has hope today, or you may be planting a seed of faith that God may bring to life at a later date. Today, choose to be the reason why someone knows God is real, that He is alive, and that He is working just as powerfully today as He did in the days of the judges.
God has been faithful in your life. Tell others these stories of God’s faithfulness so that they may know that Jesus Christ is Lord.
PRAYER:
Father,
You are faithful! Great is Your faithfulness. Thank You for your goodness, for your blessings, and for the privilege of even having stories of Your faithfulness to tell. God, I desire to be a good steward of these stories and of Your blessings. Today, give me an opportunity to tell someone else about how good You’ve been to me, and when You place them in my path, give me the strength, boldness, and courage to boast about You. Use me for Your glory, and allow me to be a messenger of Your hope. I love You, Lord. Thank You for Your faithfulness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
