A Subtle Temptation

Scripture – Judges 6:1-6: ¹Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. ²Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. ³Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. ⁴They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. ⁵They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it. ⁶Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the LORD for help.

Reflection: This is a snapshot of Israel’s on-going problem. It also reflects some of my own life – more than I care to admit. “Again,” the passage begins. God’s people have trusted the Lord. They’ve turned to Him and obeyed Him. He’s taken care of them. Yet the old pattern is that they eventually turn from God and give into their own human nature. And so the writer of Judges begins this section with “again….”

I read one time that, when it comes to really trusting Christ, “we do no better even though we do know better.” My primary pathway to trouble is the one on which I trust myself. I begin thinking I can do things in my own power and strength. While I don’t make a conscious decision to move away from Christ, I just stop paying attention to Him.

Lord, I’m sorry for doing that. In many ways over the years, with your help, I’ve become much better at staying focused on you. Still, it’s easy to slip away and sort of make you an afterthought. Forgive me for that. Keep me on a better path today.