Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

29 March 2024

Reading From Judges 1-2

“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. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. In his anger against Israel the Lord gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the Lord was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress.”

–Judges 2:10-15

     The idyllic conditions that Israel enjoyed in the land flowing with milk and honey was to be short lived.  The marvelous blessings that followed their commitment to Yahweh and obedience to His Law were spoiled by their disobedience.  Curses and weakness ensued.  How heartbreaking that the new generation was raised without knowledge of God or what He had done for their forefathers.  Their parents did not teach them as God had commanded.  They did not make the Law an integral part of the fabric of their lives. 

     It reminds me of children growing up in America in households that do not believe in God, attend church or know what the Gospel means.  If the Lord’s ways are not taught in the home, they certainly are not taught in the public schools.  Rather than being taught that any of America’s Christian heritage is good, they are taught that any godliness in our history was wrong and should be rejected.  Our nation is imperfect and horrific atrocities were committed in the past, but rather than treating historical figures with any mercy or compassion or understanding, the baby is thrown out with the bathwater and cancel culture prohibits learning from mistakes and celebrating good things.  Not all history is good, but not all of it is bad, either.

     Evolution and atheism are promoted as fact and science is exalted above faith.  Faith strong enough to have any influence in people’s decision making is mocked.  This has led to generations of children growing up without hope, without a firm foundation to build their lives on, without any moral compass to guide them.  Anxiety, depression, confusion and subsequent substance abuse and suicide are on the rise.  For Israel and for America, the rejection of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will result in our destruction.  Thank God there is hope in Jesus if we as individuals repent and turn to Him for forgiveness and ask Him for the strength we need to make good choices and resist temptation. Christians must set the example of turning from our wicked ways.

“Heavenly Father, forgive us of our sins.  Help us to learn from the mistakes of our forefathers.  Give us fresh ideas about how to raise up the next generation to be godly men and women.  Let loose a might revival in America and around the world.  I pray that people will begin to hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Turn hearts back to You.  Empower us to treat others as we would have them treat us.  May we extend the same grace and mercy and compassion to others that You have lovingly extended to us.  Allow us to learn from mistakes and celebrate victories.  Amen.”

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people he chose for his inheritance.  –Psalm 33:12

Righteousness exalts a nation,
    but sin condemns any people. –Proverbs 14:34

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  –II Chronicles 7:14

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.  –Deuteronomy 6:5-9